Transportation-Related Behaviors and Attitudes: A Survey of Florida’s Aging Road Users [Summary]

Holley, Gail M.; Barrett, Anne · 2022 · ROSA P / Florida. Department of Transportation. Research Center

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Summary

This study addresses the transportation safety and mobility needs of Florida’s aging population, which constitutes the largest percentage of residents over 65 in the United States. As aging impacts physical abilities such as visual acuity, hearing, and reaction time, understanding the specific behaviors and attitudes of older road users is critical for developing effective safety resources. The research was conducted by Florida State University researchers in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s Safe Mobility for Life Coalition (SMFLC). The primary objective was to identify transportation issues faced by older Floridians to guide the development of educational materials and strategies that improve safety, access, and mobility. The methodology involved a statewide online survey administered between 2020 and 2021, serving as a follow-up to a 2017 survey. The instrument was updated based on a literature review, notably expanding the assessment of self-assessed driving ability from one question in the previous iteration to seventeen questions. The survey was promoted through SMFLC communications, emails, and the coalition’s website, launching during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week in December 2021. To ensure geographic representation, additional engagement efforts were implemented, resulting in a final sample of 4,275 participants distributed more evenly across the state, rather than being concentrated solely in Leon County and surrounding areas. The findings indicate that driving is the primary transportation mode for most respondents, followed by walking and receiving rides from family. Participants generally reported ease in accessing their destinations and viewed driving as central to maintaining independence and social connections. Consequently, many expressed that it would be difficult to navigate daily life if they could no longer drive. Despite this reliance on driving, few respondents had made plans for retirement from driving. Self-assessments of driving ability were generally favorable, with the notable exception of night driving. Additionally, while many respondents reported high levels of hurricane preparedness, few had utilized existing SMFLC resources. The significance of these results lies in their ability to inform targeted interventions for older adults. The data highlights a critical gap between the perceived importance of driving and the lack of preparation for eventual retirement from driving. The study concludes that there is a need to promote planning for driving retirement, increase knowledge of alternative transportation options, and improve the appeal of non-driving modes. Furthermore, the findings suggest a need to address gaps in hurricane preparedness and increase awareness of available SMFLC resources. By understanding these attitudes, stakeholders can better focus the development and distribution of materials to enhance the safety and mobility of Florida’s aging road users.

Key finding

Among 4,275 surveyed older Floridians, driving was overwhelmingly the primary transportation mode and was seen as central to independence, yet few respondents had planned for eventually retiring from driving.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 4275

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• older drivers
• older driver retraining