Negative perceptions toward older drivers, agreement with the driving regulation system, and ageism: Pre-registered study

Social issues related to older drivers need to be addressed. In addition, ageism toward older adults remains deeply entrenched. This study examines the relationship between negative perceptions toward older drivers, agreement with the driving regulation system, and ageism. All three study plans were pre-registered. In Study 1, we surveyed a general youth sample ( N = 851) and found that those with more negative perceptions toward older drivers had higher agreement with the driving regulation system and stronger ageism. In addition, two experiments were conducted, one with university students (Study 2; N = 328) and the other with a general youth sample (Study 3; N = 249). In Study 2, participants presented with an explanatory note on the number of car accidents caused by younger and older drivers showed lower agreement with the driving regulation system and lower ageism than those in the control group. These group differences did not significantly change approximately one week later. In Study 3, however, the same experimental manipulation did not significantly reduce either agreement with the driving regulation system or ageism in the primary analyses, although the mean difference for agreement with the driving regulation system was in the predicted direction. Our findings contribute to the ongoing discussions on how to address car accidents caused by older drivers.