Ann Arbor Times

A recent study by the University of Michigan reveals that older drivers with vision impairment are significantly more likely to stop driving or avoid challenging road conditions. In severe cases, these individuals are four times more likely to cease driving altogether. The findings indicate that vision-related issues profoundly affect driving habits among older adults, highlighting a critical gap in road safety policies.

The research, based on objective vision testing and national data, indicates that 14% of Americans aged 65 and older suffer from distance vision impairment or contrast sensitivity issues. These conditions can lead to over 25% of affected older drivers ceasing to drive within a year, compared to 12% with normal vision. The study emphasizes the challenges for those with moderate-to-severe distance vision impairment, who are four times more likely to quit driving and 4.5 times more likely to avoid situations like night driving or busy highways.

Shu Xu, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, explains, “What we’re seeing is a cascade effect. As vision worsens, drivers self-regulate—first avoiding complex routes, then quitting altogether. But with driving so tied to independence, these decisions often come too late, after near-misses or accidents.”

The research challenges previous assumptions about vision and driving safety. Joshua Ehrlich, an ISR research associate professor, states, “This isn’t about which test is better. It’s about recognizing that many older adults have multiple overlapping vision deficits. Relying solely on standard eye charts at the DMV is like only checking one symptom of a disease.”

The study suggests reforms such as “vision-aware” road designs and driver rehabilitation programs to help individuals cope with declining vision. Xu remarks, “We’re failing older drivers by using 20th-century tests for 21st-century longevity. A person who can’t see a street sign at dusk shouldn’t have their license revoked—we should improve the visibility of street signs.”

This research contributes significantly to the fields of transportation, vision, and aging, offering a broader perspective on how concurrent vision impairments affect driving habits. The study also explores transportation alternatives for older adults with vision impairments, finding that most lack access to usable transit options. Xu notes, “When driving stops, isolation often begins. We need systems that don’t make people choose between safety and survival.”