Comparison of driving avoidance and self-regulatory patterns in younger and older drivers

Abstract

This study sought to ascertain whether both the avoidance of difficult driving situations and self-regulation (i.e., avoidance matched to one’s cognitive abilities) are typical of older drivers. Older and younger drivers (mean ages 71 and 30years, respectively) self-rated their avoidance of ten specific driving situations (e.g., driving at night, in fog). Both groups also self-evaluated their physical and mental health, while we administered general (Mini-Mental State Examination) and specific (Digit Symbol Substitution Test) cognitive assessments. The older drivers reported greater avoidance of all ten situations than the younger drivers did, although the effect size remained small. There were also more correlations between self-reported driving avoidance and both health-related perceptions and objective indicators of cognitive function among older drivers, suggesting that self-regulation is a strategy that is typical of this group. Results also showed that, with the exception of the cognitive function indicators, the factors under investigation (i.e., age, driving experience, health-related perceptions) underpinned the self-regulatory patterns in different ways, depending on the drivers’ age group. Hypotheses regarding the underlying mechanisms, further factors of interest (including relevant neuropsychological tests), and alternative ways of measuring self-regulation are put forward.