
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 18, 2020) – New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that as older adults reduce their driving, men report having fewer resources for making important life decisions. Compared to women, men over age 65 who have reduced their driving in the last year report lower levels of social support when it comes to advice, suggestions and information about issues they may be facing. Because driving is closely tied to freedom and independence, AAA recommends families with older loved ones plan ahead together, especially when it comes to important decisions like limiting driving and putting reliable informational resources in place.
“When it comes to older drivers, data from our study suggests there are perceived social support differences between older male and female drivers,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Men and women who have reduced their driving report similar levels of care and emotional support from friends and family, but older male drivers find it harder to seek out advice and guidance.”
Of the study’s 2,990 participants, 1 in 5 older drivers reported reducing their driving in the past year, with more women, 57%, than men, 43%, saying they had cut back on driving. The findings are part of the AAA LongROAD (Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers) study, a multi-year research program to better understand and meet the safety and mobility needs of older drivers in the United States.
Past AAA Foundation research has found that many older adults limit their driving, or self-regulate, to daytime, short trips, or familiar locations due to health issues and it can lead to an overall decline in life satisfaction.
“Cutting back on driving may threaten older drivers’ sense of independence and may complicate their ability to run errands, keep medical appointments, or visit friends,” said AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy Project Manager Rhonda Shah. “Just like planning for financial and healthcare needs in retirement, there are many benefits to planning ahead for the day when it makes sense to limit or stop driving.”
While self-regulation may seem like a good solution to allow older drivers to continue driving safely, some changes can create unintended consequences on the roadway. For example, using side streets to avoid the freeway can increase an older drivers’ risk of a crash by increasing the distance traveled and his/her exposure on the road.