Older Road Users: From Driving Cessation to Safe Transportation

Abstract

Driving is a valued life role. Because of age-related changes, older people (that is, those aged 65 years and older) may need to retire from driving. Driving cessation can be a major life transition involving grief and loss, difficulty accessing alternative transport, reduced participation in life roles and poorer health outcomes. This study was conducted in two phases. In the exploratory phase, 234 people aged 65 years and older were interviewed about their transport use and lifestyle. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to compare current drivers, retired drivers and people who had never driven, on transport and lifestyle outcomes. In the development phase, resources were developed from the findings of the previous phase and reference groups and piloting were used in their preliminary evaluation. It was found that current drivers do not plan well for driving cessation. Most rely primarily on self-driving as a means of transport and few express specific plans for retirement from driving. Driving cessation can lead to lifestyle losses, with retired drivers having lower life satisfaction, reduced role engagement, and restricted activity patterns. Safety and lifestyle issues surrounding transport use and alternatives to driving were explored. Resources aiming to promote smooth transition from driving cessation to safe transportation were developed, including an awareness-raising talk and brochure for current drivers, a group program and handbook for retiring drivers and a website for health professionals and family members. Reference group participants expressed high levels of satisfaction with the resources. It was concluded that a range of resources is needed to improve awareness of and planning for driving cessation, to provide intensive support and education during the transition, and to enable maintenance of safety and lifestyle following retirement from driving. Recommendations are made for further resource development, review of current transport availability, and enhancing older road user safety.