Assessment of Older People's Health and Social Care Needs and ...

one study, one in four older drivers stopped driving over a six-year period's. Medical factors whichpredicted those who would not drive included neurological disease (Parkinson's disease or stroke) andcataract, but ii ;terestingly not cognitive impairment. In Florida, health factors accounted for abouthalf of decisions to stop" and in Europe, medical and financial reasons were rated equally inimportance by those who had stopped driving in later life 30.The second is a prejudice that older drivers represent an increased risk to themselves and olderdrivers. Evans defends older drivers as a relatively safe group" and this is supported by crash ratesper driver (Fig 8). Carr has shown healthy older drivers to perform better than younger controls 32 • Anincrease in the crash rate per miles driven in elderly populations in comparison to middle agedcontrols is often quoted by the media and those seeking research grants: it is of academic interest aslong as older drivers drive a lower mileage than younger drivers.Figure 8 Annual Crash Involvement Per Capita Basis (NHTSA 1994)250 Crashes per 1,000 licenced drivers20015010050o16 17 18 19 20-24 25-29 30-64 65-85+28 Marottoli l R., Ostfeld, A" Merrill, 5./ Perlman, G.D., FoleYI D., Caoney, L., 'Driving cessation and changes in mileagedriven among elderly individuals'. ] Geronto/1993;48: 5255-60.29 Campbell MK, Bush TL, Hale WE Mdical conditions associated with driving cessation in community- dwelling,ambulatory elders.] Geronto/1993;48(4):S230-4.30 Rabbitt, P., Carmichael, A., Janes, 5., Holiand, C.. When and why older drivers give up nriving. Basingstoke: AAFoundati)n for Road Safety Research, 1996.31 Evans, L., 'Older driver involvement in fatal and severe traffic crashes'.] Gerontal 1988; 43 (6):5 186-93.32 Carr, D" Jackson, T.,W" Madden, DJ, Cohen, H.J.:The effect of age on driving skills. ] Am Geriatr Sac1992;40(6): 567-73.Conference Proceedings