Predicting changes in driving patterns of older adults to improve assessment of road safety and driving risk

Driving risk in older adults is positively associated with advanced age and deterioration in vision and cognition. Despite the risks, ability to drive and having a driver’s license have positive effects on older adult’s sense of independence and their quality of life. Currently, physicians who are concerned about their older patients’ driving ability and road safety do not have access to an easy-to-use tool to support their discussions with older patients regarding their driving risk. Therefore, we will develop a predictive model for changes in driving patterns among older adults in the CLSA. The capacity to predict driving risk in older adults can also help develop policies and guidelines for how to determine when driving cessation is necessary to ensure health and safety of older drivers.