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Geriatrics

Addressing the Complex Driving Needs of an Aging Population

To identify the key insights or developments described in this article

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JAMA

Published Online: September 1, 2023

JAMA Insights

Article Information and Disclosures

David Brian Carr, MD¹;

Ganesh Muneshwar Babulal, PhD, OTD^2,3,4

Author Affiliations

¹Department of Medicine and Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
²Department of Neurology and Institute of Public Health, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
³Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
⁴Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC

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The older adult (≥65 years) population in the US will increase to 88 million by 2050 and represent at least 25% of all drivers. Compared with younger cohorts, older adults experience decline in visual (acuity, contrast sensitivity, processing), cognitive (divided and selective attention), and motor functions (grip strength, range of motion) that are required for driving. These age-related changes can work in combination (eg, slower reaction time) to diminish reserve and increase the risk for driving impairment (unable to safely operate a vehicle) when superimposed on chronic diseases such as dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, untreated sleep apnea, and Parkinson disease. However, older adults tend to drive less during rush hour, avoid nighttime driving and inclement weather, and make fewer trips and drive shorter distances.¹

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Article Information

Corresponding Author: David Brian Carr, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, 600 S Euclid, Box 8303, St Louis, MO 63110 (dcarr@wustl.edu).

Published Online: September 1, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.16093

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Babulal reported receiving grants from the National Institute on Aging and BrightFocus Foundation during the completion of this work. No other disclosures were reported.

References

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Credit Designation Statement: The American Medical Association designates this Journal-based CME activity activity for a maximum of 1.00  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:

1.00 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program;;
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