A GPS-based examination of the mobility and exposure to risk of older drivers from rural and urban areas

Abstract

This study examines whether older rural drivers are restricted in their driving mobility and are exposed to more risk when driving than older urban drivers. Participants (aged >= 75 years) from rural (n = 28) and urban (n = 28) areas of South Australia were monitored using GPS devices and telephone-based travel diaries. The rural and urban participants did not differ in the number of trips that they made for discretionary or non-discretionary activities. However, while rural participants were exposed to fewer intersections (potential conflict points) in their driving than urban older drivers, they drove further and for longer periods on roads with speed limits of 100 km/h or higher, and at GPS-measured speeds of 100 km/h or faster. Therefore, they are not less mobile but have a higher exposure to road conditions that are more likely to lead to serious and fatal injuries in a crash.