Cessation of driving in later life may not result in dependence

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between driving and independence appears to strengthen as we age, so that retaining our licence is vital. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether dependency necessarily follows the cessation of driving or whether it could represent a later life rite of passage. Method: The respondents were 26 individuals over the age of 70 years living in the Brisbane area. Half of the participants were current drivers with the remainder having surrendered their licence within two years. Semi‐structured, qualitative, telephone interviews were used to gather data. Results and Discussion: Older drivers expressed that the cessation of driving would result in the loss of their independence. However, the stories of ex‐drivers directly challenged this strongly held belief and raised the possibility that the struggle of relinquishing a drivers licence may represent another of life's rites of passage that does not necessarily lead to a loss of independence.