AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and …...AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and...
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AARP Driver Safety Survey:
Perceptions and Attitudes of
Drivers Age 50+ in California
September 2014
AARP Driver Safety Survey:
Perceptions and Attitudes of
Drivers Age 50+ in California
Report prepared by
Sarah Conroy
Copyright © 2014
AARP Research
601 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20049
http://www.aarp.org/research/
Reprinting with Permission
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California i
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Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Laura Skufca for her numerous contributions in developing the survey and editing
the report and Alicia Williams for her contributions to data analysis. She would also like to thank Lindsay Sena
and the rest of the AARP Driver Safety team for their input in developing the survey. Additionally, she would like
to acknowledge Woelfel Research for collecting and tabulating the data and Sarah Shaw (AARP) for her legal
review. For additional information, please contact the author at [email protected].
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 1
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...2
Background and Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………………………….2
Key Findings………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..2
Detailed Findings……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Importance of Driving…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
The Changing Driving Environment……………………………………………………………………………………..5
Mind and Body Changes that Impact Driving………………………………………………………………………5
Predictors of Mind and Body Changes…………………………………………………………………………………8
Knowledge of the Rules of the Road………………………………………………………………………………….10
Importance of a Driver Safety Course……………………………………………………………………………….11
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
Annotated Questionnaire……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 2
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background and Methodology
Many drivers age 50+ in California have been driving for decades, and hence carry with them a
breadth of knowledge and experience. Yet, with age, our minds and bodies may change in ways
that can impact driving. Additionally, both the roads and vehicles have changed over time, making
it important for drivers to refresh their knowledge and skills.
The AARP Smart Driver Course, offered by AARP Driver Safety, is a driver refresher course
designed for older drivers. It serves to fine tune driving skills, update drivers on the rules of the
road and offer strategies that one may apply in the context of a changing driving environment.
Hence, to understand the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of active and experienced 50+
drivers, AARP surveyed 500 Californians who met the following criteria:
Are age 50 and older,
Have been licensed to drive for 20 or more years,
Are currently licensed to drive in California,
Drive at least once a week;
And have not taken a driver safety course within the last 10 years
The RDD sample of 50+ California residents was drawn at random from the United States adult
population in telephone households. The interviews were conducted in English by Woelfel
Research, Inc. from July 15 to July 24, 2014. The results from the study were weighted by age and
gender. The margin of sampling error for a sample of 500 is ±4.4% at the 95% confidence level.
Key Findings
Driving is very important to the 50+ driver. An overwhelming majority of respondents
report that driving plays an important role in their life (95%), and that they depend a lot on
driving to get where they need to go (84%). Furthermore, 50+ drivers are very likely to
agree that driving gives them independence (96%), and the ability to socialize and connect
with others (86%). They also agree that they would have to rely on others (84%) and that it
would be difficult to carry out daily routines if they did not drive (86%).
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 3
Drivers recognize that the driving environment has changed over time. Specifically,
respondents agree that technology in cars is becoming more advanced (98%), that there is
more traffic on the roads today (97%), that the roads have changed (88%) and that driving
laws have changed (77%). This reinforces the need for a driver refresher course.
Respondents were presented with six statements that describe possible mind and body
changes related to aging that may impact driving. Seven-in-ten (70%) respondents agree
that they have experienced at least one of these changes. The changes that respondents
were most likely to report experiencing include not seeing as well as they used to when
driving at night (52%) and noticing a decrease in reaction time (37%). Respondents were
least likely to agree that they take medications that may affect their driving (7%).
However, according to other AARP research1, seven in ten (71%) adults age 45 and older
take prescription medications on a regular basis. This may be an indication that adults are
unaware how certain medications could impact driving.
When it comes to basic rules of the road, the 50+ driver is knowledgeable. With decades
of experience, the respondents surveyed were knowledgeable about select rules of the
road that were tested. Among the rules tested in the survey, respondents were least
familiar with the California law that permits drivers to text using a hands-free, voice
operated device.
Receiving an auto insurance discount, maintaining independence and becoming a safer
driver are important reasons to take a driver safety course. Specifically, over six-in-ten
respondents say receiving an insurance discount (67%), becoming a safer driver (67%) and
maintaining independence (61%) are important reasons to take a course. Furthermore,
eight-in-ten (80%) respondents believe that a driver safety course would be helpful for
drivers age 50 and older.
1 Teresa A. Keenan. A New Look at Awareness and Use of Personal Medication Records: Five Years Later. Washington,
DC: AARP, July 2010.
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 4
Detailed Findings
Importance of Driving
An overwhelming majority of respondents (95%) say driving plays an important role in their life,
with 80 percent reporting that it plays a very important role. Likewise, over eight-in-ten (84%)
respondents report that they depend a lot on driving to get where they need to go. Likely due in
part to the greater accessibility of urban areas, drivers who live in suburban or rural areas (88%)
are significantly more likely than drivers who live in urban areas (76%) to depend a lot on driving.
Respondents are also very likely to agree with statements related to the importance of driving in
maintaining independence, connecting with others and carrying out daily activities. Specifically, a
large majority agree that:
driving gives them independence (96%),
it would be difficult to carry out daily routines if they didn’t drive (86%)
driving gives them the ability to socialize and connect with others (86%); and
they would have to rely on family and friends if they didn’t drive (84%).
Figure 1. Percentage who Agree that Driving Plays an Important Role in Their Lives
Base: 500 Respondents
68%
60%
71%
85%
16%
26%
15%
11%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
I would have to rely on familymembers and friends for assistance if I
didn't drive
Driving gives me the ability to socializeand connect with others
It would be difficult for me to carry outdaily routines such as going to work or
doing chores if I didn't drive
Driving gives me independence
Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Total
Agree
96%
86%
86%
84%
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 5
The Changing Driving Environment
Respondents are very likely to agree that the driving environment has changed over time.
Specifically, respondents agree that technology in cars is becoming more advanced (98%), that
there is more traffic on the roads today (97%), and that the roads (88%) and driving laws (77%)
have changed over time.
Figure 2. Percentage who Agree that the Driving Environment has Changed
Base: 500 Respondents
Mind and Body Changes that Impact Driving
Respondents were asked how much they agreed with six statements that reflected mind and body
changes they may have experienced as they age:
“I cannot see as well as I used to when driving at night.”
“My reaction time, when driving, is not as quick as it used to be.”
“When driving, I cannot hear certain sounds as well as I used to, such as car horns or
emergency vehicles.”
“I find it more difficult these days to judge the speed of oncoming cars.”
“I am not as flexible as I used to be, making it more difficult to perform certain driving
motions such as steering or turning to check for blind spots.”
“I take medications that may affect my driving.”
40%
64%
90%
87%
37%
24%
7%
11%
0% 50% 100%
Driving laws have changed since I firststarted driving
The roads have changed over time
There is much more traffic on the roadstoday than when I first started driving
Technology in cars is becoming moreadvanced
Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Total Agree
98%
97%
88%
77%
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 6
These mind and body changes could have safety implications. For example, reaction time and
judging the speed of oncoming vehicles are particularly important for certain driving maneuvers,
such as making left turns. In fact, IIHS reports that one in four traffic violations among drivers age
55+ involve making an improper left turn. Hence, it is important that drivers can detect changes in
themselves and learn what strategies to apply to compensate for these changes.
Among the six statements examined, respondents are most likely to agree that they cannot see as
well as they used to when driving at night (52%) and that their reaction time is not as quick as it
used to be (37%).
About one-in-five agree that they are not as flexible as they used to be, making it difficult to
perform certain driving motions (21%), while 16 percent find it more difficult these days to judge
the speed of oncoming cars and 12 percent cannot hear certain sounds as well as they used to
when driving.
Respondents are least likely to report that they take medications that may affect their driving
(7%). According to another AARP survey2, seven in ten (71%) respondents age 45 and older take
prescription medications on a regular basis. This may be an indication that adults are unaware of
how the certain medications could impact driving.
2 Teresa A. Keenan. A New Look at Awareness and Use of Personal Medication Records: Five Years Later. Washington,
DC: AARP, July 2010.
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 7
Figure 3. Percentage who Have Experienced Mind and Body Changes
Base: 500 respondents
Almost three quarters (70%) of respondents agreed with at least one of the statements, indicating
that they have experienced at least one mind or body change. Forty percent agree that they have
experienced two or more changes.
3%
3%
6%
7%
12%
20%
4%
9%
10%
14%
25%
32%
0% 50% 100%
I take medications that may affect mydriving
When driving, I cannot hear certain soundsas well as I used to, such as car horns or
emergency vehicles
I find it more difficult these days to judgethe speed of oncoming cars
I am not as flexible as I used to be, making it more difficult to perform certain driving
motions…
My reaction time, when driving, is not asquick as it used to be
I cannot see as well as I used to whendriving at night
Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Total Agree
52%
37%
21%
16%
12%
7%
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 8
Figure 4. Number of Mind and Body Changes Drivers Have Experienced
Base: 500 Respondents Results may not total 100% due to rounding
Predictors of Mind and Body Changes
To better understand which of the various factors examined (i.e., health status, age, gender,
frequency of driving, how long the respondent has been driving, and whether the respondent lives
in an urban, suburban, or rural area) have the greatest influence on the perceived mind and body
changes that impact driving, a step-wise linear regression analysis was performed. For this
analysis, each respondent received an overall score based on the extent to which the respondent
agreed or disagreed with each of the six mind and body statements. Thus, scores could potentially
range from a low score of 0 to a high score of 24 (indicating significant changes seen in each of the
six areas). This overall score was then used in the regression analysis to examine which of the
factors noted above were key predictors of perceived mind and body changes.
The findings show that, among all of the factors, health status was the best predictor of mind and
body changes. Specifically, a lower health rating tended to increase the extent to which
respondents agree that they have experienced mind and body changes. Age was also a key
predictor; in other words, as age increased, the extent to which respondents agreed that they
have experienced mind and body changes also increased. Finally, living in an urban setting was
also a key predictor of mind and body changes. Specifically, living in urban areas tended to
increase the extent to which respondents agreed that they have experienced mind and body
changes.
31% 30%
20%
9% 5% 4% 2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
None One Two Three Four Five Six
Number of Mind and Body Changes Experienced
70% of respondents have experienced at least one mind
or body change
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 9
Figure 5. Health Status is the Best Predictor of Perceived Mind and Body Changes
The thickness of the arrows indicates the relative strength of the predictor.
Table 1 shows each statement broken down by age and health status to further demonstrate the
relationship between mind and body changes and age and health status.
Specifically, those who reported being in less than very good health were significantly more likely
than those who reported being in excellent or very good health to agree with each of the
statements (with the exception of not seeing as well when driving at night, which was just shy of
being a significant difference).
Those age 65 and older are significantly more likely than those age 50-64 to report noticing that
their reaction time has slowed. Those age 65+ are also 10 percentage points more likely to say
they cannot see as well as they used to when driving at night, just shy of being a significant
difference.
Mind and Body Changes
Health Status
Age
Live in an Urban Setting
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 10
Table 1. Percentage who Have Experienced Mind and Body Changes, by Age and Health
Status
Percentage who agree that… Total N=500
Age Health Status
50-64 N=282
65+ N=183
Excellent + Very Good
Health N=356
Less than Very Good
Health** N=141
I cannot see as well as I used to when driving at night.
52% 50% 60% 50% 60%
My reaction time, when driving, is not as quick as it used to be.
37% 28% 49%* 32% 48%*
When driving, I cannot hear certain sounds as well as I used to, such as car horns or emergency vehicles.
12% 11% 14% 9% 21%*
I find it more difficult these days to judge the speed of oncoming cars.
16% 16% 17% 12% 24%*
I am not as flexible as I used to be, making it more difficult to perform certain driving motions such as steering or turning to check for blind spots.
21% 19% 25% 15% 36%*
I take medications that may affect my driving.
7% 7% 9% 4% 16%*
*indicates significant difference at the 95% confidence level.
**Less than very good health means that the respondent reported a good, fair or poor health status. A good self-
reported health status was grouped with fair and poor health statuses due to considerations with the sample size.
Additionally, drivers age 65 and older (81%) are significantly more likely than those age 50-64
(63%) to indicate that they have experienced at least one mind or body change that impacts their
driving. Likewise, those with less than very good self-reported health (80%) are significantly more
likely than those with excellent or very good self-reported health (66%) to have experienced at
least one change.
Knowledge of the Rules of the Road
When it comes to basic rules of the road, drivers age 50+ are knowledgeable. The drivers surveyed
indicate that they are rarely (45%) or never (40%) uncertain about a rule of the road. Further,
when presented with a series of true-false statements to gauge California drivers’ knowledge of
select rules, respondents were very likely to report the correct answer. Drivers know that they are
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 11
to come to a complete stop at a flashing red light (98%), yield to highway traffic when merging
(92%), and treat an intersection as a four-way stop, if traffic lights are not working (99%).
Respondents are less likely to know that they must signal at least 100 feet before changing lanes in
California (87%) and that they should not be using high beams in heavy fog (83%), although a large
majority still report the correct answer.
However, less than three-in-ten (27%) are aware that they can legally send text messages using a
hands-free, voice operated device in California. This may indicate that drivers age 50+ are
cautious about any form of texting, even if it is legal.
Importance of a Driver Safety Course
Respondents were presented with reasons people may enroll in a driver safety course. On a scale
of one to five, with one being not at all important and five being extremely important, respondents
were asked how important each reason was for enrolling in a course. Respondents were most
likely to say that receiving an auto insurance discount, maintaining independence and becoming a
safer driver were important reasons to take a course, with over six-in-ten giving the reasons a four
or five on a five point scale. Although roughly half say learning about aging as it relates to driving
is an important reason, it ranked lower as compared to other reasons.
Figure 6. Percentage who Believe Reasons to Take Course are Important
Base: 500 respondents
27%
31%
47%
49%
49%
21%
17%
14%
18%
18%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
To learn about aging as it relates todriving
To feel in command of the road
To maintain independence
To become a safer driver
To receive an auto insurance discount
Five FourTotal Important
(Four + Five)
67%
67%
61%
48%
48%
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 12
A trend shows that women are more likely than men to think that the reasons are important,
particularly when it comes to maintaining independence, with 68% of women believing it is an
important reason to take a course, compared to 53% of men.
Eight-in-ten respondents (80%) believe that a driver safety course would be very (31%) or
somewhat (49%) helpful for drivers age 50 and older. Interestingly, those who reported
experiencing at least one mind or body change (85%) were significantly more likely than those who
did not report experiencing a change (69%) to believe a course would be helpful. This may suggest
that information on how mind and body changes may impact driving could be valuable in a course.
Conclusion
The 50+ driver is characterized by knowledge and experience. In fact, seven-in-ten (72%)
respondents have been licensed to drive for 40 or more years. Yet, drivers recognize that the
driving environment has changed over time, as traffic has increased and cars and roadways have
evolved. Drivers also may have experienced mind and body changes that could impact their
driving. For example, the majority of survey respondents (70%) agree that they have experienced
at least one of the mind and body changes tested in the survey.
At the same time, active and experienced 50+ drivers are dependent on driving, and believe
driving plays a very important role in their lives. They also strongly agree that driving contributes
to their independence and social connectedness. Given the significant role that driving plays in
the lives of 50+ adults, it is important that drivers understand what strategies and practices apply
as they encounter changes in the roadways, changes in vehicles, and possible changes in
themselves.
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 13
Annotated Questionnaire
Sample: 500 Drivers age 50+
(Total California N=500, sampling error = ±4.4%)
Hello, this is _________ calling from Woelfel Research, Inc., a national opinion research firm. We are not telemarketers and are not trying to sell you anything. We would like to find out your opinions on some important issues. Your views are important and we would greatly appreciate your participation. All your responses will be kept entirely confidential. QS1. For this survey, we are looking for the opinions of certain types of people. Could you tell me
into which of the following categories your age falls into? [RECORD EXACT AGE]
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Under 18 -
2. 18 – 49 -
3. 50 – 64 60
4. 65 – 74 22
5. 75 or older 18
S2. How long have you been licensed to drive? Have you been licensed to drive for…
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Less than 20 years -
2. 20 years to less than 30 years 3
3. 30 years to less than 40 years 25
4. 40 years to less than 50 years 39
5. 50 or more years 33
6. I am not licensed to drive -
7. Don’t know -
8. Refused -
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 14
QS3. Are you licensed to drive in the state of [California]?
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Yes 100
2. No -
QS4. How often do you usually drive a car or other motor vehicle? Would you say that you usually drive…[READ LIST]?
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Every day 68
2. A few days a week 30
3. About once a week 2
QS5. Within the last 10 years, have you taken a driver safety course, such as a defensive driving, point reduction, driving refresher, or driver improvement course? [INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTIONS: IF RESPONDENT ASKS, driver’s ed/education is considered a driver safety course meaning those who have taken driver’s education within the last 10 years are terminated]
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Yes -
2. No 100
3. Don’t know -
4. Refused
-
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 15
Q1. How important of a role does driving play in your life? Would you say driving plays a very important role, a somewhat important role, a not very important role or not an important role at all?
Base: Total Respondents
California
N=500 %
1. Very important role 80
2. Somewhat important role 15
3. Not very important role 3
4. Not an important role at all 1
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused -
Q2. How much do you depend on driving to get where you need to go?
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. A lot 84
2. Some 13
3. Not very much 2
4. Not at all 1
5. Don’t know <0.5
6. Refused <0.5
Q3. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Do you strongly agree,
somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree? The first/next statement is… (ROTATE STATEMENTS)
a. Driving gives me independence.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 85
2. Somewhat agree 11
3. Somewhat disagree 2
4. Strongly disagree 2
5. Don’t know <0.5
6. Refused -
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 16
b. Driving gives me the ability to socialize and connect with others. Base: Total Respondents
California
N=500 %
1. Strongly agree 60
2. Somewhat agree 26
3. Somewhat disagree 9
4. Strongly disagree 5
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused -
c. It would be difficult for me to carry out daily routines such as going to work or
doing chores if I didn’t drive. Base: Total Respondents
California
N=500 %
1. Strongly agree 71
2. Somewhat agree 15
3. Somewhat disagree 9
4. Strongly disagree 4
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused -
d. I would have to rely on family members and friends for assistance if I didn’t drive.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 68
2. Somewhat agree 16
3. Somewhat disagree 5
4. Strongly disagree 9
5. Don’t know 2
6. Refused <0.5
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 17
Q4. Thinking about today’s driving environment, please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree? The first/next statement is…(ROTATE STATEMENTS)
a. There is much more traffic on the roads today than when I first started driving.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 90
2. Somewhat agree 7
3. Somewhat disagree 2
4. Strongly disagree <0.5
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused <0.5
b. Driving laws have changed since I first started driving.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 40
2. Somewhat agree 37
3. Somewhat disagree 13
4. Strongly disagree 9
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused -
c. The roads have changed over time.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 64
2. Somewhat agree 24
3. Somewhat disagree 9
4. Strongly disagree 3
5. Don’t know <0.5
6. Refused -
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 18
d. Technology in cars is becoming more advanced. Base: Total Respondents
California
N=500 %
1. Strongly agree 87
2. Somewhat agree 11
3. Somewhat disagree <0.5
4. Strongly disagree 1
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused <0.5
Q5. I am going to read a list of issues some people may face as they get older. These may or may
not apply to you. Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree? The first/next statement is…(ROTATE STATEMENTS)
a. I cannot see as well as I used to when driving at night.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 20
2. Somewhat agree 32
3. Somewhat disagree 11
4. Strongly disagree 34
5. Don’t know 2
6. Refused <0.5
b. My reaction time, when driving, is not as quick as it used to be.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 12
2. Somewhat agree 25
3. Somewhat disagree 18
4. Strongly disagree 43
5. Don’t know 2
6. Refused <0.5
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 19
c. When driving, I cannot hear certain sounds as well as I used to, such as car horns or emergency vehicles.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 3
2. Somewhat agree 9
3. Somewhat disagree 13
4. Strongly disagree 74
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused -
d. I find it more difficult these days to judge the speed of oncoming cars.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Strongly agree 6
2. Somewhat agree 10
3. Somewhat disagree 18
4. Strongly disagree 65
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused -
e. I am not as flexible as I used to be, making it more difficult to perform certain
driving motions such as steering or turning to check for blind spots. Base: Total Respondents
California
N=500 %
1. Strongly agree 7
2. Somewhat agree 14
3. Somewhat disagree 14
4. Strongly disagree 65
5. Don’t know -
6. Refused -
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 20
f. I take medications that may affect my driving. Base: Total Respondents
California
N=500 %
1. Strongly agree 3
2. Somewhat agree 4
3. Somewhat disagree 9
4. Strongly disagree 83
5. Don’t know <0.5
6. Refused <0.5
Q6. Thinking about the time you spend driving, how often would you say you feel uncertain about
a rule of the road?
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Often 4
2. Sometimes 11
3. Rarely 45
4. Never 40
5. Don’t know 1
6. Refused -
Q7. Next, I’m going to read you a list of reasons people may enroll in a driver safety course. On a
scale of 1 to 5, with “1” being not at all important and “5” being extremely important, please
tell me how important of a reason each is for enrolling in a course? The first/next reason is…
(ROTATE STATEMENTS)
To become a safer driver
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 5 – Extremely important 49
4 18
3 15
2 6
1 – Not at all important 10
Don’t know 2
Refused <0.5
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 21
To maintain independence
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 5 – Extremely important 47
4 14
3 14
2 7
1 – Not at all important 14
Don’t know 3
Refused 1
To feel in command of the road
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 5 – Extremely important 31
4 17
3 20
2 9
1 – Not at all important 20
Don’t know 3
Refused <0.5
To receive an auto insurance discount
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 5 – Extremely important 49
4 18
3 14
2 6
1 – Not at all important 10
Don’t know 3
Refused <0.5
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 22
To learn about aging as it relates to driving
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 5 – Extremely important 27
4 21
3 24
2 10
1 – Not at all important 14
Don’t know 4
Refused <0.5
Q8. In general, how helpful do you think a driver safety course would be for drivers age 50 and
older?
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Very helpful 31
2. Somewhat helpful 49
3. Not very helpful 10
4. Not at all helpful 7
5. Don’t know 3
6. Refused -
Q9. I am going to read a list of statements about driving rules or guidelines that may be true or
false. For each statement I read, please tell me to the best of your knowledge if you think the
statement is true or false. The first/next statement is… (ROTATE STATEMENTS)
a. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop at a flashing red light.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. True 98
2. False 2
3. Don’t know <0.5
4. Refused -
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 23
b. Vehicles merging onto a highway or freeway must yield to traffic on the
highway or freeway.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. True 92
2. False 7
3. Don’t know 1
4. Refused <0.5
c. In heavy fog conditions, it is a requirement that drivers use high beams,
sometimes called ‘brights’.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. True 14
2. False 83
3. Don’t know 3
4. Refused <0.5
d. If the traffic lights are not working at an intersection, drivers should treat it as
a four-way stop
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. True 99
2. False <0.5
3. Don’t know <0.5
4. Refused <0.5
e. [Only ask in CA] In California, drivers must use a turn signal at least 100 feet in
advance of a lane change.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. True 87
2. False 10
3. Don’t know 4
4. Refused <0.5
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 24
f. [Only ask in CA] In California, it is LEGAL to send text messages while driving if
the driver is using a hands-free, voice operated device.
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. True 27
2. False 64
3. Don’t know 9
4. Refused <0.5
Demographics D1. Record gender (DO NOT ASK)
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Male 47
2. Female 53
D2. What is your age as of your last birthday? [RECORD EXACT AGE]
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. 50 – 64 58
2. 65 – 74 22
3. 75 or older 17
4. Refused 3
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 25
D3. How long have you been licensed to drive in California? Have you been licensed to drive for…
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Less than 20 years 4
2. 20 years to less than 30 years 12
3. 30 years to less than 40 years 25
4. 40 years to less than 50 years 33
5. 50 or more years 26
6. Don’t know -
7. Refused 1
D4. In general, how would you rate your overall health?
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Excellent 32
2. Very good 39
3. Good 20
4. Fair 7
5. Poor 1
6. Don’t know -
7. Refused 1
D5. Which of the following ethnic groups describes you? You can stop me when I’ve read your group. READ LIST IN ORDER
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. White or Caucasian 81
2. Black or African-American 3
3. Latino, Hispanic 7
4. Asian or Pacific Islander 3
5. Native American 3
6. Mixed race 1
7. Other -
8. Don’t know <0.5
9. Refused 3
AARP Driver Safety Survey: Perceptions and Attitudes of Drivers Age 50+ in California 26
D6. Do you consider yourself to be of Hispanic descent? (If not Latino, Hispanic in D5).
Base: Did not mention Latino, Hispanic
California N=466
% 1. Yes 4
2. No 93
3. Don’t know <0.5
4. Refused 3
D7. Do you live in an urban, suburban or rural area?
Base: Total Respondents
California N=500
% 1. Urban 31
2. Suburban 45
3. Rural area 21
4. Don’t know 2
5. Refused 1