What older drivers feel about themselves and what we can do to help them.

A driving questionnaire and the Cornell Medical Index was given to 1164 older men and 961 older women, most of whom were still driving, to find some of the characteristics of older drivers, the problems that they face, and the factors that eventually make them cease driving. The ex-drivers in the sample had given up driving at average age 72.1 years, and current drivers intended to give up driving at average age 79.3. The ex-drivers, who were older, reported more health problems than the drivers, but the sample was relatively more healthy than other people of the same ages. About a third of the drivers intended to continue driving until stopped by unforeseeable circumstances beyond their control. Respondents rated their own current driving ability, and were less confident about it if no longer driving. Almost all the sample tended to support strongly statements that placed responsibility for road accidents with drivers.