CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW AND HIGH DISTANCE DRIVERS: FINDINGS FROM THE OZCANDRIVE/CANDRIVE OLDER DRIVER COHORT STUDY

摘要

Using real-world driving data from the Ozcandrive/Candrive older driver cohort studies, this paper investigated whether driving exposure was associated with age, gender and a subset of the annual assessment protocol: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, MMSE, MoCA, Trail-Making Test, Rapid Pace Walk, Visual Acuity, and psychosocial measures of driving. In-vehicle recording devices within participants’ vehicles recorded their total distance travelled and drivers grouped as low (<5001 km) or high mileage (≥ 15000 km) were compared on all assessments. Preliminary results showed that compared to high mileage drivers, low mileage drivers were more likely to be female, aged 80 and above, reported less independence in activities of daily living, lower daytime driving comfort levels, lower frequency and higher avoidance of challenging driving situations. Findings suggest that older adults who drive low annual mileage are readily distinguishable by their reduced capacity for independent activity, and driving practices suggestive of self-regulation.