Abstract
AIM: With the rapid increase of aging societies worldwide, ensuring road safety among older adults has become a critical public health concern. This study aimed to assess driving risks among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: A total of 387 participants aged 65 years and older were recruited from Akita Prefecture, Japan. Physical functions, such as walking speed and grip strength, cognitive functions, and depressive symptoms were evaluated alongside driving behaviors. Participants were classified into MCI-positive and MCI-negative groups based on cognitive assessments. RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant differences in driving risk, physical performance, and cognitive abilities between the two groups. MCI-positive individuals exhibited higher driving risks and poorer functional performance. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified a cutoff score of 5.5 on the Driving Risk Checklist-25 (DRCL-25), with a sensitivity of 45.5% and specificity of 89.7% for identifying MCI. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of integrating physical and cognitive assessments to enhance the accuracy of driving risk evaluations. The DRCL-25 shows promise as a detection tool for MCI, facilitating the development of interventions aimed at maintaining mobility and improving road safety among older drivers. Future research should focus on refining the checklist and evaluating its applicability across diverse populations and settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 1194-1199.