Correspondence Among Older Drivers' Perceptions, Abilities, and Behaviors

Abstract

To examine correspondence among perceptions, abilities, and behaviors, 71 drivers (aged 63-93 years) completed the Driving Comfort Scales and measures of perceived abilities, driving frequency, and avoidance. A subgroup (n = 42) also completed vision, reaction time, mobility, executive skills, and visual attention tasks. Driving patterns were more strongly related to perceived comfort and abilities than to objective performance. Drivers with discrepancies between perceived abilities and actual abilities (indicating lack of awareness) were more confident and less likely to regulate their driving. Clinicians working with older drivers should assess their perceptions, particularly comfort level, in addition to driving-related abilities.

The relationship between cognitive performance, perceptions of driving comfort and abilities, and self-reported driving restrictions among healthy older drivers

“…Possible scores range from 0% to 100%; higher scores indicate greater driving comfort. Both the daytime and nighttime comfort scales have demonstrated good testtest reliability over a two-week period (ICCs = .70 and .88) and excellent structural properties (unidimensionality, hierarchiality, goodness of fit, interval properties (MacDonald et al, 2008;Myers et al, 2008). A subsequent study with another sample of older drivers supported the test-retest reliability of both the daytime and nighttime driving comfort scales over one week (ICCs =.89 and .92) .…”

“…The 13-item daytime (DCS-D) and 16-item nighttime (DCS-N) driving comfort scales were inductively developed in a series of studies with older drivers (MacDonald et al, 2008;Myers et al, 2008). Possible scores range from 0% to 100%; higher scores indicate greater driving comfort.…”

The impact of subclinical sleep problems on self-reported driving patterns and perceived driving abilities in a cohort of active older drivers

“…Driving practices were assessed using the Situational Driving Frequency (SDF) and Avoidance (SDA) scales (MacDonald, Myers & Blanchard, 2008). On the SDF, participants are asked how often they drive, on average, in 14 different driving scenarios (e.g., at night, on highways, in rural areas, in heavy traffic or rush hour in town, on trips lasting 2 hours each way, etc.)…”

“…Scores can range from 0 to 20 with higher scores indicating greater avoidance. Both scales were developed inductively with older drivers and have shown good internal consistency and test-retest reliability MacDonald et al, 2008). Driver perceptions were assessed using the 15-item Perceived Driving Abilities (PDA) scale, which asks participants to rate various aspects of their abilities (e.g., see road signs at night, make quick driving decisions, etc.)…”

“…on a 4-point scale (from 0= poor to 3=very good). The PDA scale has good psychometric properties: specifically, unidimensional and hierarchical with good person (.92) and item reliabilities (.96) (MacDonald et al, 2008) and moderate test-retest reliability over one-week (ICC=.65) . Total scores can range from 0-45, with higher scores indicating more positive perceptions of current abilities.…”