Ten years down the road: predictors of driving cessation.
OBJECTIVE
Recent prospective studies have found that cognition is a more salient predictor of driving cessation than physical performance or demographic factors among community-dwelling older adults. However, these studies have been limited to 5 years of follow-up. The current study used data from the Maryland Older Drivers Project to examine predictors of driving cessation in older adults over a 10-year period.


METHODS
Participants (N = 1,248) completed baseline and 5-year assessments of physical and cognitive abilities. Driving status was ascertained at baseline and annually thereafter.


RESULTS
Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the risk of driving cessation as a function of demographic, physical, and cognitive predictors. The final model indicated three significant predictors of driving cessation, older age at baseline (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.12, p < .001), days driven per week (HR = 0.83, p = .05), and slower speed of processing as measured by the Useful Field of View Test (HR = 1.76, p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results underscore the importance of cognitive speed of processing to the maintenance of driving. Brief cognitive assessment can be conducted in the field to potentially identify older adults at increased risk for driving cessation. Further research is needed to determine the costs and potential benefits of such screening.
Edwards
Jerri D
JD
School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, MHC 1300, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. jedwards1@bcs.usf.edu
Bart
Edward
E
O'Connor
Melissa L
ML
Cissell
Gayla
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012112:Residential Facilities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires