title: Non-illness-related factors contributing to traffic safety in older drivers: a literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: Older drivers are at increased risk of becoming involved in car crashes. Contrary to well-studied illness-related factors contributing to crash risk, the non-illness-related factors that can influence safety of older drivers are underresearched.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, the authors review the literature on non-illness-related factors influencing driving in people over age 60. We identified six safety-relevant factors: road infrastructure, vehicle characteristics, traffic-related knowledge, accuracy of self-awareness, personality traits, and self-restricted driving.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature suggests that vehicle preference, the quality of traffic-related knowledge, the location and time of traffic exposure, and personality traits should all be taken into account when assessing fitness-to-drive in older drivers. Studies indicate that self-rating of driving skills does not reliably predict fitness-to-drive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most factors discussed are adaptable or accessible to training and collectively may have the potential to increase traffic safety for older drivers and other road users.
authors.affiliation: a Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group and ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nef
authors.forename: Rahel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bieri
authors.forename: René M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Müri
authors.forename: Urs P
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Mosimann
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*