Indicators of Self-rated Driving across 3 Years among a Community-based Sample of Older Adults.
These secondary analyses were conducted to identify predictors of self-rated driving ability over three years in community-dwelling older adults. From the Staying Keen in Later Life (SKILL) study, baseline and 3-year follow-up data for 426 older drivers were analyzed. Health, visual, physical, psychological and cognitive abilities were examined as prospective predictors of self-rated driving ability over a 3-year period, controlling for baseline self-rated driving. Results indicated that lower baseline ratings of self-efficacy and a diagnosis of osteoporosis independently predicted lower self-rated driving ability at 3-year follow-up. Interestingly, functional performance, such as visual, physical and cognitive abilities, were not predictive of self-ratings of driving ability across three years. Older drivers' self-ratings are more reflective of perceived self-efficacy rather than functional abilities. Self-screening tools for older drivers may be effective in improving the correspondence between perceived ability and actual ability in order to promote better informed decisions about driving regulation.
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Center for Translational Research on Aging & Mobility, Department of Psychology, 1530 3  Avenue South, HM 100, Birmingham, AL, USA, 35294, phone (205) 934-0230, fax (205) 975-2295.
Michelle L
ML
Ackerman
David E
DE
Vance
Virginia G
VG
Wadley
Karlene K
KK
Ball