Older Drivers, Driving Practices and Health Issues

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Abstract
There is relatively little research on factors which impair transportation in later life. Our study attempted to assess the impact of health on driver cessation and mobility among a cohort of older people in the community. Two hundred and eighteen patients over the age of 65 from two general practices, were assessed with psychometric and mental state testing, a medical and drug history and a transportation history. One hundred and twelve had never driven, 38 had stopped driving and 68 were current drivers. The main reasons for giving up driving were health (29%) and expense (34%). Apart from hypertension, there was a low prevalence of self-reported target illnesses in the driving population but 14 of the 68 current drivers were on psychoactive medications. Ex-drivers were more likely to use a bus at least three times a week than current drivers, but significantly less used it daily compared to those who had never driven. Our study confirms that health issues impact in a marked way on continued dr...

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