Driving Cessation: Giving Up the Keys May Not Be Too Traumatic for Those Who Plan

This survey of adults 50 and older explores concerns, attitudes, and experiences related to driving and plans should driving skills decrease. Participants also provide thoughts on advance driving directives (ADD). Similar to advance directives related to healthcare and end-of-life, ADDs are planning agreements that allow a driver to identify a person(s) to help them decide when to stop driving and possible transportation alternatives.

Driving Experiences and Attitudes

The majority (94%) of adults 50 and older drive. However, three in ten (30%) only drive a few times a week and one in 15 (6%) do not drive at all. Of those who do drive:

• 62% of men say their driving is excellent versus 48% of women.
• 58% of adults 50 to 64 say their driving is excellent versus 50% of adults 65-plus.

While most (72%) say driving isn’t stressful, more than six in 10 (66%) avoid driving in certain situations. Those who rate their driving as only good or average are more likely than those who rate their driving as excellent to say they avoid certain driving situations.

• 62% of those who rate their driving skills good/average say they avoid driving in bad weather versus 39% of those who rate their driving as excellent.
• 53% of good/average drivers avoid driving at night versus 30% of excellent drivers.
• 34% of good/average drivers avoid driving in heavy traffic versus 19% of excellent drivers.
• 34% of adults ages 50 and older say they never avoid driving (including 21% of those who rate their driving as only good or average).

Thoughts on Older Drivers and Driving Cessation

Driving in the future is on the minds of most adults 50 and older. Over six in 10 (64%) say they worry about driving in the future. Should their driving skills decrease significantly,

• 53% say they would get someone else to drive them.
• 39% say they would drive less.
• 9% say they would take a driver improvement course.

Most (96%) older adults say they are not aware of ADDs. Once defined, six in 10 say it is likely they would complete a directive if it were recommended by their child (61%), primary care provider (PCP) (60%), or spouse/partner (60%). However, only a quarter (24%) say it is very likely they would follow the directive, with more than half (55%) saying it is at least somewhat likely they would follow the directive.

AARP’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all as we age. Ensuring older adults have the tools needed to live with dignity and purpose, and to achieve their goals and dreams are the cornerstones of our efforts. Older adults and their loved ones are often challenged with difficult conversations related to lifestyle changes as one ages. Discussions about driving cessation are especially difficult as many see it as losing independence. There are various tools, however, to help plan for and navigate these difficult conversations.

This study found that many older adults are indeed willing to consider at least initiating the discussion around driving cessation and possible alternatives. Older drivers also say they would be willing to employ driving restrictions and other alternatives, including taking a driver improvement course.

This willingness to address decreased driving skills in the future suggests an ADD may be one tool that can help older adults with their decision making. Additionally, AARP’s information, education, and offerings around driver safety are important tools to help older adults and their loved ones plan for and navigate potentially difficult conversations regarding driving cessation.

Methodology

The findings come from an AARP Omni online survey of 1,003 adults ages 50-plus in March 2024. The national sample was weighted by age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

For more information, please contact Cheryl L. Lampkin at clampkin@aarp.org. For media inquiries, please contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.