Older adults with major depression exhibit more dangerous driving behaviors than their non-depressed peers, according to new research that could reshape how we think about mental health and driving safety among the elderly.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, tracked the daily driving patterns of 395 adults aged 65 and older over an 18-month period, revealing concerning differences between those with and without major depressive disorder (MDD).
Using data loggers installed in participants’ vehicles, researchers found that drivers with depression were more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including more frequent hard braking and aggressive cornering. They also showed more unpredictable driving patterns and traveled greater distances from home compared to those without depression.
“Adults with MDD demonstrated distinct and riskier driving behaviors than those in the control group without depression, with higher rates of hard braking, cornering, and unpredictability in driving patterns over time,” explains the research team from Washington University School of Medicine.
The study included 85 participants with major depression and 310 without. While both groups showed similar cognitive functioning at baseline, those with depression averaged more medical conditions and took more medications.
The findings are particularly significant given demographic projections: by 2050, approximately 25% of all drivers will be over age 65, and depression affects about 13% of older adults in the United States.
Importantly, the riskier driving patterns persisted even after researchers accounted for the effects of antidepressant medications, suggesting that depression itself – not just the medications used to treat it – impacts driving behavior.
Unlike their non-depressed counterparts, who tended to develop more predictable driving routines over time, depressed drivers showed increasing randomness in their travel patterns. This lack of self-regulation could indicate reduced awareness of declining driving abilities.
The research raises important questions about maintaining independence while ensuring safety. Rather than suggesting driving restrictions, the researchers advocate for enhanced screening and targeted interventions to help older adults with depression maintain safe driving habits.
These findings point to the need for a more comprehensive approach to elderly driving safety that considers mental health alongside physical and cognitive capabilities.