01664150

Component

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the top causes of unintentional injury deaths in teens and older adults (NHTSA, 2017). The factors underlying drivers’ decisions about whether to drive in certain situations may differ between these two at-risk groups. Older drivers may reduce driving in certain contexts as they experience age-related functional deficits (Anstey, et al. 2006). Driving avoidance, or the intentional avoidance of driving contexts that are viewed as difficult or dangerous, increases as older adults recognize a decline in their driving ability (Davis et al. 2016). On the other hand, for novice teen drivers with little practical experience, certain factors (such as environmental cues or information processing), may determine how well they are able to select driving situations that are appropriate to their own skill level (Horrey et al., 2015). Previous research suggests that teens often overestimate their driving abilities (De Craen et al., 2011) and may attempt specific driving contexts outside of their ability. The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the frequency with which younger and older drivers avoid specific driving contexts and 2) to determine if executive functioning [EF] and perceived experience are independently or jointly associated with avoidance of specific driving contexts. The study sample consisted of 126 licensed teen drivers ages 16 to 19 years (Mage = 17.70, SD = 1.26; 50% male; 71% Caucasian) and 147 licensed older adult drivers ages 65 to 94 years (Mage = 72.00, SD = 5.91; 46% male; 78% Caucasian). Participants reported how often they avoided certain driving situations (“Do you avoid driving at night?”) on nine items from the Driving Habits Questionnaire (Owsley, 1999) on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 = ” Never” and 5 = “Always.” EF was measured in two ways: 1) performance-based EF assessment using the Useful Field of View (UFOV), a 3 subtest computerized assessment of processing speed, divided attention, and selective attention; and 2) self-report EF assessment using the 2 subdomain scores (Behavioral Regulation Index [BRI] and Metacognition Index [MI]) from the well-validated Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) (Gioia and Isquith, 2000). Participants rated their perceived driving experience (“How experienced are you at driving”) on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 = “ Not Very Experienced” and 5 = “Very Experienced.” Age groups were compared on the individual avoidance items from the DHQ and perceived driving experience, on BRIEF subdomain scores (BRI and MI), and total UFOV score (sum of the 3 subtests). All subsequent analyses were stratified by age group. Linear regressions assessed the association of EF and perceived experience with driving avoidance. Interaction terms were included to determine whether the relationship between EF and avoidance varied by perceived experience. Compared to teens, older adults reported significantly greater avoidance in all driving contexts assessed except driving at night. Among older adults, better EF as measured by UFOV indicated less avoidance of interstate driving and driving at night (both p’s =.02). Higher perceived experience was associated with less avoidance on all items except avoiding left turn and avoiding traffic (all p’s <.05). Among teens, better EF as measured by the BRI and MI subscales was associated with less avoidance of opportunities to meet friends/participate in activities and avoidance of driving alone (all p’s <.05). Perceived experience moderated EF and driving avoidance in both older adults and teens. In older adults, better EF was associated with more avoidance of interstate driving, driving alone, and opportunities to meet friends/participate in activities specifically at lower values of perceived experience (all p’s <.04). In teens, better EF was associated with more avoidance of left turns specifically at higher values of perceived experience (p =.03). Findings support previous research indicating older adults tend to avoid driving in different driving contexts. Older adults may be better able to estimate their own abilities supported by evidence that for most contexts assessed, better perceived experience was associated with less avoidance. Perceived experience significantly moderated EF and driving avoidance in both older adults and teens, but impacted the age groups differentially. In older adults, increased EF and lower perceived experience indicated greater avoidance. In teens, increased EF and higher perceived experience suggested greater avoidance. Despite often overestimating ability, better EF may act as a buffer where teens choose driving contexts appropriate to their skill level. Further research should examine factors influencing teens’ and older adults’ perceived driving experience. Future investigation should also further examine the impact of perceived experience on risky driving habits.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB30 Standing Committee on Operator Education and Regulation.

18-05277

English

4p

2018

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Age groups; Aged drivers; Behavior; Cognition; Decision making; Driver performance; High risk drivers; Teenage drivers

Highways; Safety and Human Factors

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-05277

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 8 2018 11:20AM