Does Automatic Transmission Improve Driving Behavior in Older Drivers?

Abstract

Background: Most older drivers continue to drive as they age. To maintain safe and independent transport, mobility is important for all individuals, but especially for older drivers. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether automatic transmission, compared with manual transmission, may improve the driving behavior of older drivers. Method: In total, 31 older drivers (mean age 75.2 years) and 32 younger drivers – used as a control group (mean age 39.2 years) – were assessed twice on the same fixed route; once in a car with manual transmission and once in a car with automatic transmission. The cars were otherwise identical. The driving behavior was assessed with the Ryd On-Road Assessment driving protocol. Time to completion of left turns (right-hand side driving) and the impact of a distraction task were measured. Results: The older group had more driving errors than the younger group, in both the manual and the automatic transmission car. However, and contrary to the younger drivers, automatic transmission improved the older participants’ driving behavior as demonstrated by safer speed adjustment in urban areas, greater maneuvering skills, safer lane position and driving in accordance with the speed regulations. Conclusion: Switching to automatic transmission may be recommended for older drivers as a means to maintain safe driving and thereby the quality of their transport mobility.

Driving Characteristics of Older Drivers and Their Relationship to the Useful Field of View Test

“…The item 'driving too fast' was the error most regularly reported by the occupational therapist, followed by problems with 'gear changing' and 'attention to signs, road lines and traffic lights'. Previous research has shown that driving with an automatic transmission car improves driving performance for older drivers [34] . The most common road situations where errors were observed included 'straight main roads', specifically when it came to speeding, and 'junction to the right and to the left', when it came to attentional errors.…”

Non-Illness-Related Factors Contributing to Traffic Safety in Older Drivers: A Literature Review

“…And third, street lighting at intersections and in front of traffic signals additionally increases safety (Classen, Lopez, et al, 2007;Classen, Shechtman, et al, 2007;Easa et al, 2010;Shechtman et al, 2006). Also, large ES were found for the studies suggesting that in-car tasks such as phoning, pressing buttons, and using in-vehicle information systems decrease driving safety, especially in older drivers (Selander et al, 2012). Such tasks should be avoided or replaced by adequate techniques to reduce risk (Liu, 2000).…”

“…The studies, however, do not in particular assess the impact of these devices on traffic safety in older drivers. Two studies (Selander, Bolin, & Torbjörn, 2012;Warshawsky-Livne & Shinar, 2002) investigated whether the transmission type (manual vs. automatic) affects driving safety in older drivers. The results are, to some extent, contradictory.…”

“…The lack of differences may be partially related to the fact that the transmission type was not varied as within-subjects factor (i.e., subjects used only the transmission type they used to drive). Selander et al (2012) varied transmission type intraindividually and found that older subjects benefited from an automatic transmission (i.e., they had better speed adjustment, attention to speed limits, car maneuvering, and lane keeping). Younger subjects showed virtually no difference between transmission types.…”

Traffic Safety of Elderly Road User: The Global Trend and the Japanese Case

“…While checking performance in on-road test on fixed route with manual and automatic transmission. Older drivers commit more errors than younger ones in both conditions 61) .…”