Citation

Vernon EK, Babulal GM, Head D, Carr D, Ghoshal N, Barco PP, Morris JC, Roe CM. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 2015; 63(6): 1251-1254.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jgs.13499

PMID

26096403

PMCID

PMC4479409

Abstract

The extent to which older adults use technological devices while driving is understudied. Currently, there are 35 million adults over the age of 65 years who are licensed drivers in the United States (U.S.)1 and this number is expected to rise to more than 40 million by 2020.1 In a 2007 report, it was estimated that a quarter of all crashes in the U.S. is related to distracted driving due to interaction with communication devices, entertainment systems, etc.2 Despite an increase in the number of older drivers1 and in crash rates due to distracted driving,2 research has not focused on older adults and distracted driving as related to the use of electronic devices3. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and frequency of technology usage while driving in a sample of older adults.

Participants enrolled in a study that examined factors associated with driving performance among older adults (R01-AG043434) at Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine. Participants met these inclusion criteria: at least 65 years of age, speak English, currently drive at least once per week, has a valid driver's license, does not require adaptive equipment to drive, and cognitively normal as indicated by a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR)4 of 0 determined at their yearly clinical assessment. Each participant completed a general physical and neurological examination, health and medication histories, a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) 5 at their clinical assessment, and tests of driving and additional cognitive assessment at the time of their annual driving evaluation. This study was approved by the Washington University Institutional Review Board. The Electronic Drive Survey (EDS) was administered verbally at the time of cognitive assessment during their annual driving evaluation. The survey consists of 37 questions and evaluates the type and degree of electronic device usage while driving. The survey is separated into six categories, which include use of: a radio, dashboard controls, global positioning system (GPS), cellular telephone (including hands-free), text messaging, and smart phone capable phones (for e-mailing purposes). Each category contains an initial "yes or no" question to determine if the participant engages in the activity; within the category are questions responded to on a three point Likert scale (never, sometimes, and always)...

Language: en

Keywords

Age Factors; Aged; Attention; Automobile Driving; Cell Phone; Female; Geographic Information Systems; Humans; Male; Radio