Who is afraid of driving?

Supplied by: Christine Stephens PhD, Associate Professor; School of Psychology/Te Kura Hinengaro Tangata, Massey University, Palmerston North

Driving is an important aspect of independence, but as we age driving anxiety may lead to some people giving up driving. Driving anxiety may be part of a number of anxiety disorders, including fear of driving itself, panic disorder associated with agoraphobia, or post-traumatic stress disorder. It can also be associated with the loss of a spouse (who may have previously undertaken all of the driving), changes in health or eyesight or hearing, and general loss of confidence about oneself as a driver. Dr Joanne Taylor, a clinical psychologist specialising in driving anxiety, investigated the rates among HWR respondents. She found that, while most people reported no driving fears, around 20% endorsed a mild level of driving anxiety and fear, and 4-6% rated a moderate to severe level and more of these were women. Although some of these fears were lifelong, many had developed more recently. These results will form the basis for more investigation into driving anxiety by specialist researchers at Auckland University, with a view to developing interventions that support people to keep their driving confidence for longer.

^{Taylor, J., Alpass, F., Stephens, C., & Towers, A. (2010). Driving anxiety and fear in older adults in New Zealand. Age & Ageing, 40, 62–66, doi:10.1093/ageing/afq154}