The Older Person as a Former Driver: Quality of Life, Mobility Consequences and Mobility Adaptation

Thompson, Mary Anne · 1996 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This study investigates the quality of life, mobility consequences, and transportation adaptations of older adults (aged 65 and older) who have ceased driving. The research was motivated by the rapid growth of the older driving population and the lack of empirical data regarding the specific impacts of driving cessation on this demographic. Previous studies often conflated former drivers with those who never held a license, obscuring the unique challenges faced by ex-drivers. The study aimed to update outdated findings from the 1960s and 1970s, addressing how older adults compensate for the loss of personal transportation and how this affects their well-being. The research utilized a quantitative design based on Frances Carp’s conceptual model, which links mobility, need satisfaction, and well-being. The study distinguished between "life maintenance needs" (e.g., food, healthcare) and "higher-order needs" (e.g., socialization, recreation). Data were collected from a sample of older adults, differentiating between current drivers and former drivers. The methodology employed specific instruments, including the Quality of Life Index (QOLI) and the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) health survey, to assess well-being and health status. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, analysis of covariance, and multiple regression, were used to examine trip frequencies, transportation resource usage, and predictors of quality of life. The findings revealed that self-perceived health status is the principal factor influencing quality of life for older adults, exerting a greater influence than mobility or driving status. Contrary to Carp’s hypothesis that driving cessation significantly diminishes well-being, the study found that driving and travel explain only a small amount of variance in overall life satisfaction. However, for former drivers specifically, access to travel and participation in higher-order activities were significantly correlated with life satisfaction, suggesting that the ability to travel becomes more valuable when it is restricted. Former drivers took significantly fewer trips than current drivers, particularly for social and recreational purposes. They adapted by relying heavily on rides from family and friends, walking, and, to a lesser extent, public transit and paratransit services. The study also noted that former drivers often used alternative methods, such as mail or telephone, to meet certain needs without traveling. The significance of this study lies in its empirical refutation of the assumption that loss of driving privileges automatically leads to a diminished quality of life. It highlights that while mobility is important, health status and the ability to meet higher-order social needs are more critical determinants of well-being. The findings suggest that transportation policy and service planning should focus not just on maintaining driving ability, but on ensuring that former drivers have accessible options for social and recreational travel. The study provides a revised conceptual model emphasizing the role of health, residence location, and socioeconomic status in shaping mobility outcomes, offering a more nuanced understanding of the older ex-driver’s experience.

Key finding

Self-perceived health status was the principal factor influencing quality of life for older adults, whereas driving status and travel explained only a small amount of the variance in overall life satisfaction.

Methodology

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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