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Giving up the car keys can feel like grief for older Australians, ACU research

Giving up the car keys can trigger grief, frustration and a profound loss of identity in older Australians yet few plan for the day they will stop driving, new ACU research has found.

Researchers are urging families to start conversations about driving retirement years before an older person is forced off the road, warning that waiting for a crash or near miss can make the transition harder.

Australia’s ageing population sees more people face the question of when – and how – to stop driving.

ACU research, published in The Gerontologist, found early planning and psychological support could help older people adjust to life without a car.

Road safety expert and lead author Dr Joanne Bennett said for many older people giving up their licence means losing freedom, independence, spontaneity and a part of who they are.

“They are moving between grieving what they have lost and working out how to live life differently,” she said.

“They're losing that freedom to just get in the car and go, which can determine whether someone sees friends or stays home, attends a medical appointment independently or relies on family, remains active in the community or becomes increasingly isolated.”

She said older adults can face significant emotional and practical challenges when they stop driving, including mobility difficulties, reduced wellbeing and frustration.

Research shows that almost 60 per cent of older adults did not have a plan for stopping driving.

Dr Bennett said families should start planning for driving retirement while an older person was still driving safely – ideally in their 60s – rather than after a crash, near miss or telltale dings on the bumper.

Rather than asking whether an older person is ready to give up driving, families and health professionals could help them test alternatives early to identify how they would continue doing important daily activities and maintaining community connections.

“The aim isn't to force people off the road earlier than necessary, it's to make sure that when the time comes, driving isn't their only means of maintaining an independent life,” Dr Bennett said.

“Preparing early means people can work out how they're going to live their lives without a car. Doing so can help to ease the stress of stopping driving when the time comes.”

The study applied a psychological model developed to understand bereavement, recognising that people move between confronting what they have lost and adapting to a changed life.

Dr Bennett said the same process appeared to occur when people retired from driving. For many, driving the car is one of the last symbols of independence after retirement, children leaving home and other major life changes.

In conjunction with the study, the ACU researchers developed the free Thriving Without Driving website, offering interactive learning, information about alternative transport and alternatives to transport, and resources for older people, families and health professionals.

The project involved ACU road safety and clinical psychology researchers and was supported by the ACT Government’s Road Safety Fund.

Media Contact: Elisabeth Tarica, Australian Catholic University on 0418 756 941 or [email protected]