Driving anxiety and fear in young older adults in New Zealand

BACKGROUND: driving anxiety and fear can have a marked impact on mobility and independence, although there is no data on the prevalence of this problem, and specific information about the rate of driving anxiety and fear in older adults is unknown. METHODS: the present study examines the prevalence of self-reported driving anxiety and fear in a sample of 2,491 adults aged 55-72 from a longitudinal survey of health and ageing in New Zealand. RESULTS: most of the sample (90%) described themselves as drivers who drove daily or weekly. Around 70% of the sample reported no driving anxiety or fear, yet 17-20% endorsed a mild and 4-6% rated a moderate to severe level of driving anxiety and fear. Women reported higher levels of anxiety and fear about driving than men, but there were no age differences. Those who reported some level of driving anxiety engaged various alternative modes of transport, and a small number (2.4%) reported that their driving anxiety had affected their usual activities or work for at least a day in the previous month. Duration of driving anxiety was highly variable, from relatively recent onset to being present for much of some participants' lifetimes. CONCLUSION: driving anxiety and fear may be a significant problem for some young older adults that is likely to affect their independence and mobility. Further research to clarify the content and nature of driving anxiety, pathways to driving anxiety and the effect of factors associated with ageing on driving anxiety is needed in order to better understand this experience for older adults and develop effective interventions.