> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.verydriver.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Data Shows Link Between Mental Health and Driving - URL: https://www.verydriver.com/data-shows-link-between-mental-health-and-driving/ - Published: 2026-10-14T21:31:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T21:37:20.000Z - Author: Very Driver - Tags: Driving Data [Research by audio tech company DTS](https://dts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DTS-Vehicle-Third-Space-Report-2024-FINAL.pdf?ref=verydriver.com) shows 46% of drivers see their car as a “third space” to relax and escape stress, and 29% have driven with no destination just to clear their head. A separate [Talker Research survey](https://talkerresearch.com/love-at-first-vroom-4-in-10-are-in-love-with-their-car/?ref=verydriver.com) of 2,000 U.S. car owners found 27% use drive time to think about life and plan for the future, and 21% use it to process work and big events. ![car on road near railings](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1563161084-d8d8ff841bae?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDI3fHxkcml2aW5nfGVufDB8fHx8MTc5MTE3NTEwOXww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Cristofer Maximilian](https://unsplash.com/@cristofer?ref=verydriver.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Does Losing the Ability to Drive Affect Mental Health? Older adults who stop driving have nearly double the risk of depressive symptoms and see a 51% drop in the size of their social circle, according to a [Columbia University study](https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/health-goes-downhill-when-older-adults-stop-driving?ref=verydriver.com) on older drivers. A separate [University of Rochester study](https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2023.2224795?ref=verydriver.com) of more than 3,000 older drivers found that giving up driving is tied to a higher risk of anxiety symptoms. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f9/94/f99452cd-a930-4f25-894c-20551819444a/content/images/2026/10/2.jpg) Media: [Very Driver](https://www.verydriver.com/) ## How Common Is Driving Anxiety? Very common. About 66% of Americans experience driving anxiety, according to a [YouGov survey of 1,500 U.S. adults](https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/driving-anxiety/?ref=verydriver.com) conducted for insurance comparison site The Zebra. 75% of women reported driving anxiety, compared with 55% of men. Merging onto the highway was the top trigger, named by 26% of anxious drivers. The survey also found that 62% of Americans have been through a traumatic driving experience. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f9/94/f99452cd-a930-4f25-894c-20551819444a/content/images/2026/10/3.jpg) Media: [Very Driver](https://www.verydriver.com/) ## Teens With Mood Disorders Are 30% Less Likely to Get a License Teens and young adults with mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder are 30% less likely to get a driver’s license than their peers, according to a [Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia study](https://www.chop.edu/news/youths-mood-disorders-30-percent-less-likely-acquire-driver-s-license-peers?ref=verydriver.com) published in JAMA Network Open. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f9/94/f99452cd-a930-4f25-894c-20551819444a/content/images/2026/10/4-1.jpg) Media: [Very Driver](https://www.verydriver.com/) About 1 in 3 high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness in the CDC’s [2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey](https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/youth-health-in-focus/mental-health.html?ref=verydriver.com), and [experts say](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/05/health/teens-delay-driving-wellness?ref=verydriver.com) mental health is a big reason teens are putting off getting behind the wheel. Getting a license is tied to independence, confidence, and access to opportunity. Putting it off delays all three. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f9/94/f99452cd-a930-4f25-894c-20551819444a/content/images/2026/10/Untitled-design--3-.jpg) Media: [Very Driver](https://www.verydriver.com/) ## Does Work Commute Affect Your Mental Health? [Research featured in Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-psychological-benefits-of-commuting/?ref=verydriver.com) found a daily commute gives people time to mentally shift gears between work and home. But for workers juggling a lot in their personal lives and on the job, a [2025 study of 568 Americans](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23294965241300721?ref=verydriver.com) found commutes longer than 44 minutes were linked to more symptoms of anxiety and depression. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f9/94/f99452cd-a930-4f25-894c-20551819444a/content/images/2026/10/7.jpg) Media: [Very Driver](https://www.verydriver.com/) ## Does Depression Raise Crash Risk? Depression nearly doubles a driver’s crash risk, according to a [review of 19 studies](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5376538/?ref=verydriver.com) published in Injury Epidemiology. A [Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia study](https://www.chop.edu/news/youths-mood-disorders-30-percent-less-likely-acquire-driver-s-license-peers?ref=verydriver.com) published in JAMA Network Open found young drivers with mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder had a 16% higher crash rate than their peers during their first year of driving. Four years after getting licensed, their crash rate was still 19% higher. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f9/94/f99452cd-a930-4f25-894c-20551819444a/content/images/2026/10/VERYDRIVER.jpg) Media: [Very Driver](https://www.verydriver.com/) ## Keep On Driving Driving gives you independence, a place to clear your head, and a way to stay connected to the people who matter. Treat your mental health like regular maintenance, because it keeps you safer on the road too. If you’re struggling, talk to a mental health professional or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time.