Among car driving instructors: Older, but not always wiser ? older motorists' perceptions of their information needs
Keywords: Older Drivers/Users
ARSRPE
Submission Date: 2003
Abstract
Public safety interests are paramount when providing information to older drivers, particularly when encouraging their appropriate self-regulation of driving. However, older drivers? views of their needs may not match those of professionals/experts who represent public safety interests.
A demographically stratified sample of 102 South Australian drivers aged 65-85 was surveyed on their perceptions of their information needs, together with interviewing relevant professionals and visual examination of Australian older driver handbooks. The findings indicated older driver information provision should value maintaining driving as the learning basis, but the provision should cater more for different learning styles. Professionals believed future alternative mobility planning to be highly salient for older drivers, yet older drivers rated this a low priority. There is a need to investigate better ways of informing older drivers about matters of public safety interest, to ensure older drivers take more notice of them.