Self-regulation of driving and older drivers' functional abilities

Abstract

This study was designed to identify risk factors for inadequate self-regulation of driving behavior by older drivers. To this end, a sample of 90 adults aged between 60 and 91 completed a questionnaire about their driving behavior, a battery of functional tests, and a structured on-road test. Comparisons were made between the functional tests most strongly related to on-road driving performance and the functional tests most strongly related to self-regulation. Self-reported avoidance of difficult driving situations was used as an index of self-regulation of driving behavior. It was concluded that self-regulation of driving behavior is inadequate among older drivers with poor contrast sensitivity, poor speed of information processing and poor visuospatial ability.