The opportunity to drive is very important for many elderly. However, driving in older ages can also be a challenge, mainly due to physical constraints and declining cognitive abilities. Even though higher risks for accidents are associated with young drivers, the risk increases again in older age. Research has shown that many older drivers respond to their perceived limitations, in that they, for example, avoid driving under difficult conditions, such as driving in the dark or during bad weather. Despite the fact that older drivers try to self-regulate some of the most evident dangerous aspects of their driving behaviour, it is important that they receive a feedback regarding their driving. However, the question who provides the feedback and who gives valuable indications for self-regulated driving behaviour remains open. How should we talk to older drivers about their regulation of driving behaviour, about when to stop and about alternative means of mobility? A research project on this topic was carried out on behalf of the German Accident Research (UDV) by the Zeppelin University in cooperation with the University of Vienna in the time period between July 2012 and June 2015. The project consisted of three goals: First, we investigated whether the older drivers had been directly approached in order to talk (“direct approach”) about their driving limitations and if so, by whom. Simultaneously we were interested in, who (which authority / persona) would older drivers prefer to talk to about their driving behaviour. Second, we aimed to identify the relevant factors that facilitate or hinder openness to receive and provide feedback on driving skills. Third, the goal of the project was to investigate whether the program „Sicher mobil“ can be seen as an appropriate communication platform for effective support for creating behavioural intentions to change driving behaviour of older drivers. In line with our predefined project goals and accompanying research questions, we conducted focus group interviews (n = 54) and telephone interviews (n = 305) with elderly people and online interviews with relatives (n = 106). All methods used for data collections were chosen on basis of comprehensive literature review. In addition, we conducted a multi-dimensional evaluation of the program „Sicher mobil“ which targets drivers from the age of 50. Within this program the participants receive guidance of a trained moderator while exchanging views and ideas on issues about road safety and developing possible courses of action that will help them to cope with future challenges concerning their mobility. The focus group interviews and the interviews with elderly drivers and their relatives both revealed that the respondents found the self-regulation of driving skills in old age to be a highly relevant issue. Additionally, many respondents mentioned situations in which they experienced evident risks related to driving behaviour of older drivers. Furthermore, the survey showed that in those cases where a direct approach - although rarely - took place, elderly demonstrated major barriers to discuss these risks. Older people indicated doctors and relatives to be the most preferable discussion partners on this topic. Interestingly, they received feedback only seldom from those favourable persons (with exception of two ophthalmologists). In order to identify relevant factors explaining the variations in “openness to feedback” about the driving behaviour of elderly drivers, the survey data were analysed using structural equation modelling. We found that particularly those people who possess a positive image of aging also show higher willingness to provide feedback on declining driving skills of an elderly. This finding might have occurred due to the association between positive image of aging and the expectation that such feedback can lead to improved self-regulation. On the other side, the factors that hinder providing feedback are: emotional barriers, fear of hurting the concerned person and a view that the elderly think that they can assess their own driving abilities in a sufficient manner. Nevertheless, this openness to feedback can be promoted with the direct approach as well as with the positive image of aging. Importantly, an openness to feedback in elderly drivers increases if a) the problem of declining driving skills is principally recognized, b) they show sensitivity for their own age-related loss of performance, c) improvements are considered to be feasible and, d) alternatives to car mobility are taken into account. Together, these mentioned factors show a pattern that reflects numerous components of the protection motivation theory, which is very well researched in the psychological field of health prevention. This theory is based on the assumption that educational measures have a greater success if those involved a) are made aware of the problem, b) are aware that they may be affected themselves, and c) see opportunities to respond. Further, we investigated whether the program „Sicher mobil“ represents an appropriate communication platform to increase awareness of the issue of declining driving skills and above all to promote related self-regulatory practices among elderly drivers. This program has been selected because it can effectively bypass those factors restricting the application of direct approach, namely by creating a positive atmosphere where the participants take initiative and other enabling factors are provided. According to the objectives of the program the participants should a) be made aware of issues, b) talk about challenges concerning themselves, and c) take part in demonstrations of alternatives in mobility. The evaluation of this program was mainly concerned with whether a direct approach takes place in a pleasant setting and motivates for further participations (Level: Reaction), learning effects arise among participants (Level: Learning), and behavioural intentions were formulated and remembered afterwards. (Level: Behavioural intentions). We evaluated the program in surveys conducted before participating, few days after participation, and several months after participating. The evaluation results of the program „Sicher mobil“clearly show that direct approach took place in a very positive framework and potential negative effects did not occur. The results consistently show that the participants report high levels of satisfaction with the learning effects. Most importantly the participants were able to name the formed behavioural intentions days, some of them even a month, after their participation and were further motivated to implement them in daily life. On the other hand, the level of awareness of personal decline in driving skills and the self-relevance of the topic did not change after participation. Rather, the participants demonstrated high awareness and high attention to changes with regards to their driving skills. Therefore the reported results are limited to those individuals who already have a high protection motivation. Future research should investigate the question whether fostering a general positive image of aging may increase the willingness to participate in programs similar to "Sicher mobil". The present results illustrate that such programs deliver a positive framework for addressing the issue of self-regulation of elderly drivers. This is because it seems that major barriers regarding the communication of this topic complicate a direct approach of this issue in a close dialogue. An essential task for future research is to show the effects of such programs on a behavioural level. Beside an implementation of learned contents in daily life, it is in our view particularly important to investigate whether we can create general awareness about the issue of declining driving skills that is necessary for applying alternatives to the car in a creative manner. (Author/publisher)
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