Who Are Older Drivers?

One of the best sources of data regarding the travel patterns of older persons is the National Health Interview Survey on Disability, Supplement on Aging II (SOA II). The most recent data available is from 1994-1995. According to this data, the majority of adults over age 69 who drive tend to be:

• Male
• White
• Of higher socioeconomic status (not below the poverty level)
• Living with others
• Living in the suburbs or rural areas
• Not limited in their activities of daily living (ADLs)

In addition, the majority of older drivers are under 80 years old.

These trends are taken from the Transportation Research Board's 2002 final report from the Transit Cooperative Research Program, which also includes corresponding data tables.¹

Of all people over age 69 who responded to the 1994 National Health Interview Survey:

• 49.4 percent reported driving daily or almost daily
• 23.3 percent reported driving occasionally
• 34.4 percent reported never driving

¹ Transportation Research Board Transit Cooperative Research Program (2002) Improving Public Transit Options for Older Persons 26. TCRP Report 82, vol. 2: Final Report.