Elderly Drivers' Perceptions of Their Driving Abilities Compared to Their Functional Motor Skills and Their Actual Driving Performance

Occupational therapy is based on helping individuals to develop and function indpendently within their environment. The ability to drive allows a person to remain independent by providing the mobility and freedom to accomplish other activities of daily living. This study examined the elderly drivers' perceptions of their driving abilities, compared to their clinically tested functional skills in the area of motor abilities, and their actual in-car driving performance. The specific motor abilities include: range of motion, muscle strength, grip strength, head and trunk control, reaction time, proprioception, and light touch and localization. A population sample of 115 individuals 65 years and older was chosen from the Veteran's Administration Hospital. The results, although nonsignificant, indicated that the elderly individuals are indeed aware of their abilities for range of motion, muscle strength, head and trunk control, grip strength, reaction time, proprioception, and light touch and localization. The study also indicated that clinically tested motor skills and actual in-care driver performance can be predictive based on reaction time. Limitations of this study and ideas for future research are provided.