Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adult Driving in the United States

Abstract

Objectives: To examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected driving and health outcomes in older adults. Methods: We compared Advancing Understanding of Transportation Options (AUTO) study participants enrolled before (December 2019 to March 2020) versus during the pandemic (May 2020 to June 2021). Participants were English-speaking, licensed drivers (≥70 years) who drove weekly and had a primary care provider at a study site and ≥1 medical condition potentially associated with driving cessation. We used baseline self-reported measures on mobility and health. Results: Compared to those enrolled pre-COVID-19 ( n = 61), more participants enrolled during COVID-19 ( n = 240) reported driving reductions (26% vs. 70%, p < .001) and more often for personal preference (vs. medical/emotional reasons). While mean social isolation was higher during than pre-COVID-19, self-reported depression, stress, and overall health PROMIS scores did not differ significantly. Discussion: Our findings highlight the resiliency of some older adults and have implications for mitigating the negative effects of driving cessation.

Modern Trends in Nasal Bone Fractures and the Effect of Social Distancing

“…25,26 Other studies on trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic have drawn parallels to the decrease in automobile driving leading to fewer accidents and decreases in social gatherings leading to fewer assaults. 6,10,11,27 The data show that while patients who presented to US EDs with NBFs during the COVID-19 pandemic were older, there were significant changes in NBF incidence among racial groups, except for patients identifying as "other." This contrasts with prior analyses of the NEISS assessing all maxillofacial trauma which identified a predilection for men and included Asian as the second most common racial category.…”

“…In contrast, the overall incidence of physical injury dramatically decreased during the pandemic, largely in part, due to social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines 25,26 . Other studies on trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic have drawn parallels to the decrease in automobile driving leading to fewer accidents and decreases in social gatherings leading to fewer assaults 6,10,11,27 …”

“…1 With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COV-ID-19) pandemic in 2020, however, there were unprecedented changes in widescale human interactions resulting from mandated social distancing, with as many as 85% of people social distancing most of the time 5 and as much as 70% reduction in driving. 6,7 This, in turn, fundamentally altered exposures to social activities and areas of congregation. As a result, there has been interest in the impact of the pandemic on common traumatic injuries, such as pediatric fracture patterns, 8 e-scooter injuries, 9 and extremity fractures.…”