The epidemiology of driving in later life: Sociodemographic, health and functional characteristics, predictors of incident cessation, and driving expectations

Aim To describe population-level characteristics of drivers and non-drivers in a cohort of older Australians and identify predictors of driving cessation and expectations. Methods The sample comprised the oldest cohort of the PATH Through Life project who were assessed 4 times between 2001 and 2013. At waves 3 and 4 questions on driving were included in the study interview. Data were also collected on health, physical and cognitive function and psychosocial wellbeing. Descriptive analyses compared drivers and non-drivers on sociodemographic, health and functional variables and regression models identified predictors of cessation and driving expectations. Results 92.5% of the sample were current drivers. They reported better physical, mental and cognitive health than non-drivers. Drivers expected to drive for another 12.6 years, the majority drove 6+ days per week. Four percent of the sample ceased driving over the four year follow-up. Predictors of cessation were financial problems, driving expectations and driving fewer kilometres per week. Predictors of expectations were poorer self-rated health, mastery, difficulties reading maps, self-rated visual function, years of driving experience, and fewer kilometres driven per week. Conclusion Driving is normative for many older Australians in their 70s. Similar factors are associated with actual cessation and expectation of driving suggesting that older adults do have a sense of their expected driving life.