Johns Hopkins University and AAA Study Shows That Older Men Have a Harder Time Giving Up Driving Than Women

According to an online news report published on AAA.com, a new research study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety discovered that as older adults decrease their driving, men are having a harder time getting the resources they need to make important life decisions. When compared to women, men who are over the age of 65 and who are reducing the amount of driving report having less social support, advice, and information about important life issues. According to the AAA study, this is because driving is closely tied to independence and freedom. AAA advises families who have older family members to plan ahead when it comes to life decisions like limiting driving for safety purposes.

Dr. David Yang, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s executive director, says that data from their study shows there is a perceived difference in social support differences between senior female and male drivers. D. Yang stated that women and men who have reduced their driving experience comparable levels of emotional support and care from family, but senior male drivers find it more difficult to obtain advice and guidance.

The study examined about 3,000 participants. The study found that about 1 in 5 senior citizens said they were reducing their driving in the past year. Of those drivers, 57% were women, and 43% were men. The findings are part of the multi-year research program performed by the AAA LongROAD study.

According to AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy’s Project Manager Rhonda Shah, when seniors cut back on driving, they lose their sense of independence, and this complicates their capacity to run errands, visit friends, and keep medical appointments. Shah believes it is a good idea for all drivers to begin planning ahead for the day when they must limit or stop driving.

AAA proposes that older drivers and their families talk with their physicians about alternative forms of transportation. AAA suggests the following means of transportation for seniors:

• Carpooling.
• Public Transportation
• Local Transportation Services
• Ridesharing

Moreover, it is essential that families with seniors initiate a conversation about safe driving. AAA has created a helpful website called seniordriving.aaa.com, and it provides important safety tips.

How to Know When Your Loved One Is Unable to Drive

There are several signs that may indicate that your parent is too old to drive a car. Some of these signs may include:

1. Slow reaction time: If your parent’s reaction time has slowed down and they have trouble responding to situations quickly, it may be a sign that they are no longer fit to drive.
2. Vision problems: If your parent has difficulty seeing road signs or other cars, it can make it unsafe for them to drive. This can be especially dangerous at night or in low-light conditions.
3. Hearing problems: If your parent has hearing problems, they may not be able to hear horns, sirens, or other important sounds while driving.
4. Getting lost or disoriented: If your parent has difficulty navigating familiar roads or frequently gets lost or disoriented, it may be a sign that they are no longer able to drive safely.
5. Dents or scrapes on the car: If your parent’s car has multiple dents or scrapes, it may indicate that they are having difficulty maneuvering the car and could be at risk for an accident.
6. Forgetting traffic rules: If your parent has trouble remembering traffic rules or has been pulled over for traffic violations, it may be a sign that their driving skills have deteriorated.
7. Physical limitations: If your parent has physical limitations that make it difficult for them to turn their head to check blind spots or to use the foot pedals, it can make it unsafe for them to drive.

If you are concerned about your parent’s driving ability, it may be a good idea to have an honest conversation with them and, if necessary, schedule a driving assessment with a medical professional.

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