Getting older drivers off the road won't solve safety problems

When an older driver has a crash with tragic consequences, there are calls for stricter licensing controls to detect “unfit” drivers and take their licences away, typically focusing on those aged 75 or over. When the crash records for older drivers are compared across jurisdictions, however, there is no observable impact of any restrictions. This includes compulsory re-testing, which is strongly advocated by the public but is not supported by the research.

Self-regulation of older drivers with cognitive impairment : a systematic review

Background
Cognitive decline contributes significantly to the safety risk of older drivers. Some drivers may be able to compensate for the increased crash risk by avoiding complex driving situations or restricting their driving.

Objective and Method
A comprehensive English-language systematic review was conducted to determine the level of evidence for older adult drivers with cognitive impairment engaging in self-regulation.

Results
Twelve studies were included in the review. The majority of studies investigated driver avoidance, followed by driver restriction. Few studies ascertained the reasons for changing driving behaviour.

Conclusions
The evidence supports the view that drivers with cognitive impairment do restrict their driving and avoid complex driving situations. However, it remains to be determined whether the drivers who do engage in self-regulation require insight into their own driving abilities or whether external factors result in self-regulation of driving behaviour.

Investigating fitness to drive in older drivers with cognitive impairment

This thesis investigated driving behaviour of senior drivers with cognitive impairment in order to gain an understanding of how cognition impacts on driver behaviour and fitness to drive.

Non-illness-related factors contributing to traffic safety in older drivers: a litterature review

Background/Study Context: Older drivers are at increased risk of becoming involved in car crashes. Contrary to well-studied illness-related factors contributing to crash risk, the non-illness-related factors that can influence safety of older drivers are underresearched. METHODS: Here, the authors review the literature on non-illness-related factors influencing driving in people over age 60. We identified six safety-relevant factors: road infrastructure, vehicle characteristics, traffic-related knowledge, accuracy of self-awareness, personality traits, and self-restricted driving. RESULTS: The literature suggests that vehicle preference, the quality of traffic-related knowledge, the location and time of traffic exposure, and personality traits should all be taken into account when assessing fitness-to-drive in older drivers. Studies indicate that self-rating of driving skills does not reliably predict fitness-to-drive. CONCLUSIONS: Most factors discussed are adaptable or accessible to training and collectively may have the potential to increase traffic safety for older drivers and other road users.

Symbol signing design for older drivers.

Mode of access: Internet.

Traffic operations control for older drivers. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Safety and Traffic Operations Research and Development, McLean, Va.

Older drivers, the age factor in traffic safety. Technical report.

Mode of access: Internet.

Identification and assessment of organizations that would distribute traffic safety information to older drivers and pedestrians. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Delineation of hazards for older drivers.

"July 1997."

Delineation of hazards for older drivers.

"July 1997."

Traffic operations control for older drivers /

"FHWA-RD-94-119."

Traffic maneuver problems of older drivers : final technical report /

"August 1993."

Safety and mobility issues in licensing and education of older drivers.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.