Older Drivers with Depression Are More Likely to Engage in Risky Driving—Find Out Why

A recent study has uncovered a concerning trend: older drivers with depression or who take antidepressants are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors.

The findings were published on Thursday in JAMA Network Open by a Washington University School of Medicine research team. The study involved 395 participants aged 65 and older and focused on the relationship between depression, antidepressant use, and driving behavior.

The research reveals that elderly individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) frequently exhibit dangerous driving habits, such as abrupt braking and aggressive cornering. These findings underscore the need for regular depression screenings and tailored interventions for older drivers.

While the study establishes a clear link between depression, antidepressant use, and an increased risk of collisions among older drivers, the researchers note that the specific factors contributing to this heightened risk during everyday driving remain elusive.

The investigation was part of the ” Driving Real-World In-Vehicle Evaluation System Project,” conducted from July 2021 to the end of 2023. It compared the driving behaviors of 85 participants aged 65 and older diagnosed with MDD with those of 310 participants without the condition.

Participants underwent comprehensive annual evaluations, including neurological, clinical, mood, and neuropsychological assessments. Their daily driving habits were meticulously recorded using commercial data loggers installed in their vehicles.

The results were striking: seniors with MDD reported 3.6 times more depressive symptoms than those without the disorder. They also used antidepressants 3.5 times more frequently and were nearly twice as likely to be taking other medications.

The study observed a concerning trend over an average monitoring period of 1.1 years: older drivers with MDD increasingly exhibited hazardous driving behaviors, including sudden braking, sharp cornering, and erratic driving patterns.

Perhaps most alarmingly, individuals with MDD drove an average of 31.19 kilometers from home per trip – more than four times the average distance of 7.76 kilometers driven by those without MDD. They also exhibited greater unpredictability in their driving routes and turning patterns.