Public Discourse Toward Older Drivers in Japan: Longitudinal Analysis of Social Media Data from 2010 to 2022 (Preprint)

This 13-year study quantified public discourse on older drivers using Twitter data, revealing a paradoxical increase in negative sentiment and perceived risk, despite a decline in the actual crash rate among older drivers. These findings underscore the importance of reconsidering licensing policies, promoting self-driving systems, and fostering a more balanced understanding to mitigate undue prejudice and support continued safe mobility for older adults.