Title

Driving safely in later life: exploring the older driver-passenger relationship

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Modes of Transport - Car - Driving, Population - Elderly

Abstract

The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is influenced by a number of variables. Much research has focused on changes in the underlying visual-motor and cognitive systems of older adults and their effect on driving performance (Owsley et al. 1991; Caird et al. 1998; Shaheen and Nemeier 2001). Concurrent with this research, the influence of factors within the driving environment on the behaviour of older drivers also requires further investigation (Vrkljan and Polgar 2005). These factors may include, but are not limited to: roadway design, natural environment (e.g., weather conditions), laws and regulations, presence of passengers, and/or vehicle design. Given the complexity of issues involved, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (World Health Organization 2001) provides a theoretical framework with which to understand how health-related dimensions of older adults (e.g., changes at the body functions and/or structures level), and/or changes in contextual factors, including environmental factors (e.g., presence of passengers) combine to influence safe operation of a motor vehicle (Vrkljan 2005). The term ‘collaborative cognition’ has been used to describe the interaction that occurs between individuals to solve everyday problems. The view of cognition as a social activity has emerged as an area of gerontological research (Strough et al. 2002). Given their age, older adults are likely to have available partners with whom they have developed interactive expertise (Dixon 1999). Research has corroborated that older married couples outperform unacquainted dyads on tasks meant to be representative of everyday problem-solving (e.g., interpreting bills/medications, planning errands). To date, most research on collaborative cognition has been conducted using laboratory-based tasks (Meegan and Berg 2002). The driving context is an example of an everyday situation in which older adults can draw upon the resources of other people, namely their passengers, to provide support, feedback, or assistance with driving-related tasks. Previous research has recognized the potential influence of passengers on the behaviour of older drivers (Bédard and Meyers 2004; Geyer and Ragland 2004; Hing et al. 2003). Older drivers have referred to their passengers as their “co-pilots” (Miller Polgar and Shaw 2003). Shua-Haim and Gross (1996) conducted a series of case studies with older drivers who had a diagnosis of probable dementia. They identified the potential danger if such drivers become too dependent on their respective co-pilots, particularly during challenging driving situations. Others warn that the presence of passengers might be a distraction for older drivers “by engaging them in non-driving activities, such as conversation” (Geyer and Ragland 2004, p.3). Conversely, research findings suggest that collaboration among older adults can improve performance on certain tasks in a laboratory setting (Meegan and Berg 2002). Although previous research recognizes the influence of passengers on driving behaviour, no studies have specifically addressed how older drivers and passengers collaborate during challenging driving situations (e.g., navigating places with which they are less familiar) and the potential effects of this collaboration on their driving safety.