This paper compares a sample of older drivers' self-reports during surveys made in 1994-95 and 1997-98. This comparison enables the tracking, over a three-year period, of changes in their weekly driving mileages, their driving behaviour, their reported ability to cope with specific driving situations, the difficulties that they currently experience, and their anticipations of how long they now expect to continue to drive. All age groups, except those aged 76-80, reported lower average mileages during the last three years, by an average of about 2.5 to 3.0 miles per week, than during the preceding three years. The statistical analyses made here included correlation and regression analyses, and often gave statistically significant results. Respondents usually reported some significant reduction in their driving competence during the three-year comparison period. Average numbers of reports that ability to cope had become 'better' or 'much better' remained constant, while reports that ability to cope has become 'worse' or 'much worse' correspondingly rose. Several reasons are postulated for the small sizes of the effects of health and age, observed in the sample. Older drivers are aware of changes in their driving ability, resulting from ageing and worsening health, and they respond by driving less.
Samenvatting