Elderly drivers: future challenges?

The objective of this paper is to describe and interpret the results from a public opinion poll about elderly drivers to provide useful information regarding future challenges related to elderly drivers. The introduction describes demographic developments, factors affecting elderly drivers, crash rates of elderly drivers and characteristics of crashes of elderly drivers. This information is used to provide a context to interpret the results of the public opinion poll. A total of 1238 drivers completed the interview, which required an average of approximately 15 min per respondent. It was administered by telephone to a random sample of Canadian drivers by Opinion Search Inc., in September 2007. Criteria for inclusion were having a valid driver's license and having driven in the past 30 days. Data were weighted according to region, gender and age to avoid bias. Univariate frequency distributions, their 95% confidence intervals and Chi-square statistics were calculated taking account of the stratified and weighted sampling design. Also, multivariate logistic regression was performed, accounting for the design effects of the used sampling design. Lower levels of concern about the issue of elderly drivers were found among the public at large and especially among elderly drivers. While general support for actions to protect elderly drivers was high, elderly drivers were less supportive for a measure requiring them to complete training to maintain their driving privileges. The results from this survey are contrasted against what is known from the literature about the issue of elderly drivers and conclusions regarding future challenges are drawn.