Safe mobility for elderly drivers-Considerations based on expert and self-assessment
Journal article, 2014

To further understand the needs of the growing population of elderly drivers and create solutions for safe mobility it is important to understand the driving scenarios and aspects in day to day traffic that may be of challenge for this group. More so, individual differences in how drivers perceive their own driving ability may have an effect on how individuals limit their mobility and/or increase their exposure to risk situations, with a potential negative effect on safety. In this study two sets of assessments have been used in order to identify scenarios and aspects needing consideration in creating safe mobility for elderly drivers; an expert assessment using on-road driving together with assessments through semi structured in-depth interviews. This combination also enables categorisation of the drivers, comparing their own perception of their driving performance with the expert assessment based on actual on-road driving. Four different categories of drivers were identified: adequate (positive), over, under and adequate (negative) estimators. A number of important aspects were identified in the study. Adapting speed to the situation and driving too fast, especially on straight roads in the city, is one aspect. Seeking the attention of other road users at intersections and roundabouts is another important consideration identified. Awareness of difficulties related to speed adaptation and attention was low amongst all the driver categories. However, a difference in attitude was seen in the categories with a more humble and acceptant attitude amongst the adequate and under estimator groups, as compared to the over estimators suggesting that the aspect of attitudes is another important factor for consideration. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Attention

P205

OLDER DRIVERS

INTERSECTIONS

Active safety

ACCIDENT ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION

Under estimator

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

CRASH RISK

Over-estimator

Elderly

Speed adaption

V18

Older

Pre

Automotive

Self assessment

Drivers

On-road assessment

AVOIDANCE

1986

IMPAIRMENT

ADULTS

NORMATIVE DATA

Mobility

Estimator categories

CORMICK IA

Driver behaviour

Human factors

DRIVING ABILITY

Adequate estimator

Traffic safety

Author

Thomas K Broberg

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics, Vehicle Safety

Chalmers, Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre at Chalmers (SAFER)

T. D. Willstrand

The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)

Accident Analysis and Prevention

0001-4575 (ISSN)

Vol. 66 104-113

Subject Categories

Vehicle Engineering

Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified

DOI

10.1016/j.aap.2014.01.014

More information

Latest update

7/26/2019