Older drivers' risky and compensatory driving

A Safe Driving Workbook for older drivers was developed to understand whether their risky driving is increasing due to aging and if they exhibit compensatory action corresponding to the increase in risky driving. Drivers who reported more risky driving are recommended to adopt more compensatory driving in the workbook. A validity study was conducted with Japanese older drivers over age 70 (N=3,132) for both risky and compensatory driving scales developed by an interview and questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis revealed that older drivers with poor driving ability assessed by in-car observation and with accident/violations in the past three years were more likely to conduct risky driving. Although the analysis did not show the same result for compensatory driving, another analysis indicated that older drivers with at fault accidents tended to exhibit more compensatory driving. Drivers with higher risky driving score and some of those with higher compensatory driving scores were given feedback information in the workbook. Finally, significance and limitations of the workbook were discussed in terms of a tool for driver education.