The impact of transportation alternatives on the decision to cease driving by older adults in Japan

Abstract

This study investigated whether the availability of transportation alternatives for older drivers is a determinant of the decision to cease driving. We recruited participants from a total of 7827 drivers aged 69 years or older living in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan who were scheduled to renew their driving license between February and April 2011. In November 2010, we distributed questionnaires to collect data on predictors of driving cessation, and again in December 2012 to determine who had actually ceased driving. The relative impacts of factors related to driving cessation were then estimated. Of the 3089 respondents, 157 did not renew their license. The strongest determinants of this decision were having been advised to stop driving and if they had developed less confidence in their ability to drive safely. Even so, respondents were far more likely to have actually stopped driving if they were sure that someone else was available to provide a ride when they needed one. The final decision to stop driving is strongly influenced by personal convenience based on private transport, especially amongst drivers who have been advised to stop. The availability of public transport alternatives is not as important a factor in this decision.

Feeling Older and Driving Less: The Effect of Age Identity on Older Adults’ Transition from Driving

“…Assessing these possibilities, along with their divergent implications, will require research identifying the processes underlying the link between age identity and driving decisions. Studies are needed that incorporate information on driving ability and self-assessments of it—along with other factors shaping later life driving decisions, such as driving experience, confidence, anxiety, and comfort and readiness to stop driving ( Gwyther & Holland, 2012 ; Ichikawa et al, 2016 ; Kandasamy, Carr, Meuser, Harmon, & Betz, 2017 ; Molnar et al, 2015 ). Indeed, these factors, though not measured in NHATS, are plausible mediators of the association between age identity and self-regulated driving.…”

“…Transitioning from driving also is influenced by the availability of transportation alternatives (e.g., Barrett et al, 2017 ; Choi et al, 2012 ; Ichikawa, Nakahara, & Takahashi, 2016 ). For example, a longitudinal study of older Floridians found that receiving frequent rides in the past year from friends, neighbors, organizations, or hired assistants increased the odds of driving cessation over a 2-year period, with the strongest effect found for rides from friends and neighbors ( Choi et al, 2012 ).…”

“…For example, a longitudinal study of older Floridians found that receiving frequent rides in the past year from friends, neighbors, organizations, or hired assistants increased the odds of driving cessation over a 2-year period, with the strongest effect found for rides from friends and neighbors ( Choi et al, 2012 ). Similarly, a study conducted in Japan found that reporting the availability of someone who could provide a ride increased the odds of driving cessation ( Ichikawa et al, 2016 ).…”

The Predictors of Driving Cessation among Older Drivers in Korea

“…In a study of 2932 Japanese elderly participants, 157 decided not to renew their driving license. Advanced age and female sex were determining factors of DC [ 28 ]. In a study of 5206 Australian elderly participants, the average of age was older in the non-driving group than the driving group, and 28.2% of males stopped driving [ 29 ].…”

“…Previous studies reported that living closer to public transit stops made older adults less likely to drive [ 30 ] and that older adults with limited access to alternative transportation were likely to use their personal vehicles [ 21 ]. In Japan, a high accessibility and convenience of public transportation impact on decision of DC has been reported among elderly adults [ 28 ]. The metro is a popular form of transportation for older adults in Korea.…”