The effects of demographics, functioning, and perceptions on the relationship between self-reported and objective measures of driving exposure and patterns among older adults.

The exploratory study reported here was intended to examine: how strongly subjectively reported driving avoidance behaviors (commonly referred to as self-regulation) and exposure were related to their objectively measured counterparts and whether it depended on the specific behavior; the extent to which gender and age play a role in the association between subjectively reported driving avoidance behaviors and exposure and their objectively measured counterparts; and the extent to which demographics, health and functioning, driving-related perceptions, and cognition influence the association between subjective and objective driving avoidance behaviors overall. The study used data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) study, a multisite, prospective cohort study designed to generate empirical data for understanding the role of medical, behavioral, environmental, and technological factors in driving safety during the process of aging. Objective driving measures were derived from GPS/datalogger data from 2131 LongROAD participants' vehicles. The corresponding subjective measures came from a comprehensive questionnaire administered to participants at baseline that asked them to report on their driving exposure, patterns, and other aspects of driving. Several other variables used in the analyses came from the comprehensive questionnaire and an inperson clinical assessment administered to participants at baseline. A series of simple linear and logistic models were fitted to examine the relationship between the subjective and objective driving measures of interest, and a multivariable analysis was conducted to examine the potential role of selected factors in the relationship between objective and subjective driving avoidance behaviors. Results of the models are presented and overall findings are discussed within the context of the existing research literature.

Restraint use patterns for older child passengers in Michigan.

The purpose of the present study was to conduct the first statewide direct observation survey of restraint use designed specifically for older child passengers (4-15 years of age). We also sought to determine the factors that were related to belt use by older child passengers in Michigan so that effective programs could be developed to promote use of restraint devices in this age group. The study found that older child restraint use was about 58% statewide. Restraint use was highest in regions where overall belt use was higher, when the driver was using a safety belt, in sport utility vehicles and vans/minivans, and in the front-right seating position. No difference in restraint use was found for the day of week, the sex of the child, or the type of site where data was collected. The study provides the largest scale analysis to date on older child occupant restraint use patterns. The data provide some much needed empirical data on the restraint use patterns of older child passengers for development of theory to better understand and predict lack of restraint use in this age group.