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Hanging up the car keys: Exploring factors that influence older drivers planning for driving retirement in Australia
Journal of Transport & Health, Vol.35, pp.1-14
2024
Abstract
Introduction:
Older driver safety is of increasing interest for policy makers and practitioners as the population of Australia continues to grow and age because capacity to drive safely may be affected by age-related physical and cognitive declines. Additionally, older drivers are at increased risk of serious injury or death if involved in a crash. Evidence suggests that only a small percent of drivers plan for driving retirement and there is limited understanding of the factors that influence this behaviour. Ultimately, the transition to driving retirement may be facilitated by actively planning for the day when an older driver hangs up the keys.
Methods:
This qualitative study aimed to explore factors that influenced older adults planning for driving retirement through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 Sunshine Coast residents aged 65 and older who have retired from driving. The research was underpinned by the Social Ecological Model (SEM).
Results:
The data analysis identified that 1) individual factors are generally the stimulus for an older driver to begin thinking about retiring from driving; 2) interpersonal feedback did not play a large role in influencing planning driving retirement; 3) having available social support was an important facilitator of planning for driving retirement; 4) neighbourhood accessibility, infrastructure, and available alternative transport was a significant factor that influenced planning for driving retirement; and 5) at a policy level there is a need for coordinated and comprehensive resources to aid older drivers planning for driving retirement.
Conclusions:
This study identified factors at all four levels of the SEM that influence planning for driving retirement, which provides support for addressing all levels of the SEM in future interventions, policy changes, and research. This knowledge can be valuable for future policy and intervention development.
Details
- Title
- Hanging up the car keys: Exploring factors that influence older drivers planning for driving retirement in Australia
- Authors
- Kyle Schofield (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of HealthTerri Downer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyBridie Kean (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Public HealthFlorin Oprescu (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Journal of Transport & Health, Vol.35, pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jth.2023.101750
- ISSN
- 2214-1413
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Midwifery; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99991498402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
74 Record Views
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- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Transportation
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Source: InCites