A new approach to assessing self-regulation by older drivers : development and testing of a questionnaire instrument.

Molnar, L.J.; Eby, D.W.; Roberts, J.S.; St. Louis, R.; Langford, J. · 2010 · ROSA P / Michigan Center for Advancing Safe Transportation Throughout the Lifespan

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Summary

This study addresses the need for a standardized, comprehensive method to assess self-regulation among older drivers. Self-regulation—adjusting driving patterns to compensate for functional declines—is a critical strategy for extending safe driving longevity, yet existing research suffers from inconsistent measurement tools and varying results. The authors aimed to develop and pilot-test a computer-based questionnaire instrument that conceptualizes self-regulation across four levels of driver behavior: operational, tactical, strategic, and life-goals. This framework allows for the assessment of both reduced driving exposure and modifications to driving nature, such as vehicle choice or lifestyle adjustments. The research was conducted in two phases. First, the questionnaire was developed through literature reviews, expert consultation, and analysis of naturalistic driving data. Second, the instrument was pilot-tested with 137 older drivers (age 70+), comprising 105 participants from the general population and 32 individuals with clinically determined impairments in vision, cognition, or psychomotor ability recruited from university clinics. The computer-based survey was administered in-person, taking approximately 45–60 minutes. Data were analyzed using SAS software, employing univariate summaries and bivariate tests (Chi-Square, Fisher’s Exact, Wilcoxon Signed Rank) to examine relationships between self-regulatory practices and variables such as sex, age, and functional status. Participants provided positive feedback on the instrument, with 98.5% finding questions easy to read and 91.2% satisfied with the computer format, despite low self-reported computer experience. Regarding driving behaviors, participants drove an average of 5.6 days and 90 miles per week, with men driving significantly more than women. Most participants reported avoiding specific high-risk circumstances, including night driving, rush hour traffic, and bad weather. Strategic self-regulation was common, with many planning trips in advance or combining errands to reduce exposure. However, few participants reported making vehicle modifications or significant life-goal changes, such as purchasing a different vehicle. Participants rated their overall health and safe driving abilities highly, though those from the clinic population rated their abilities lower than those from the general population. The study concludes that the developed questionnaire is a viable, user-friendly tool for comprehensively measuring older driver self-regulation. The findings highlight that while older drivers actively engage in strategic avoidance of specific driving conditions, they rarely alter their broader lifestyle or vehicle choices. This instrument provides a uniform approach for jurisdictions and researchers to study self-regulation, facilitating future large-scale longitudinal studies to better understand how older adults compensate for functional declines to maintain mobility and safety.

Key finding

98.5% of participants found the questionnaire questions easy to read, and 91.2% were satisfied with the computer format, while most participants reported avoiding specific driving circumstances like night driving or bad weather.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 137

Provenance

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

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• older drivers
• older driver retraining
• decision making risk perception
• dbq psychometrics
• sex gender
• mci dementia driving

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence, self report data
• Methodological Resource: validation psychometrics