DriveSafe and DriveAware Assessment Tools Are a Measure of Driving-Related Function and Predicts Self-Reported Restriction for Older Drivers

Safety concerns together with aging of the driving population has prompted research into clinic-based driving assessments. This study investigates the relationship between the DriveSafe and DriveAware assessments and restriction of driving. Community-dwelling adults aged more than 75 (n = 380) were recruited in New South Wales, Australia. Questionnaires were administered to assess driving habits and functional assessments to assess driving-related function. Self-reported restriction was prevalent in this cross-sectional sample (62%) and was related to DriveSafe scores and personal circumstances but not DriveAware scores. DriveSafe scores were correlated with better performance on the Trail-Making Test (TMT; β = −2.94, p < .0001) and better contrast sensitivity (β = 48.70, p < .0001). Awareness was associated with better performance on the TMT (β = 0.08, p < .0001). Our data suggest that DriveSafe and DriveAware are sensitive to deficits in vision and cognition, and drivers with worse DriveSafe scores self-report restricting their driving.

[1]  Joseph F Coughlin,et al.  Walking the Tightrope: Developing a Systems Approach to Balance Safety and Mobility for an Aging Society , 2011, Journal of aging & social policy.

[2]  Lisa Keay,et al.  Visual and cognitive deficits predict stopping or restricting driving: the Salisbury Eye Evaluation Driving Study (SEEDS). , 2009, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[3]  Lisa J. Molnar,et al.  Driving avoidance by older adults: is it always self-regulation? , 2013, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[4]  J R Stewart,et al.  Cognitive test performance and crash risk in an older driver population. , 1998, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[5]  Karen Bandeen-Roche,et al.  A prospective, population-based study of the role of visual impairment in motor vehicle crashes among older drivers: the SEE study. , 2007, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[6]  Jennifer D. Davis,et al.  Effect of Cognitive Status on Self-Regulatory Driving Behavior in Older Adults , 2013, Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology.

[7]  Desiree N. Lanford,et al.  Validity and critical driving errors of on-road assessment for older drivers. , 2010, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[8]  Cynthia Owsley,et al.  The Development and Efficacy of a Theory-Based Educational Curriculum to Promote Self-Regulation Among High-Risk Older Drivers , 2003, Health promotion practice.

[9]  Lisa A D'Ambrosio,et al.  Health, safety, self-regulation and the older driver: it's not just a matter of age. , 2008, Journal of safety research.

[10]  Beth T. Stalvey,et al.  Older drivers and cataract: driving habits and crash risk. , 1999, The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences.

[11]  CynthiaOwsley,et al.  Older Drivers and Cataract : Driving Habits and Crash Risk , 2022 .

[12]  Matthew Robert Justin Baldock.  Self-regulation of the driving behaviour of older drivers , 2004 .

[13]  Mark S. Horswill,et al.  Evaluation of screening tests for predicting older driver performance and safety assessed by an on-road test. , 2013, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[14]  Lynnette G. Kay,et al.  Validity, reliability and predictive accuracy of the Driving Awareness Questionnaire , 2009, Disability and rehabilitation.

[15]  Kaarin J Anstey,et al.  The crash involvement of older drivers is associated with their hazard perception latencies , 2010, Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

[16]  James G Wright,et al.  The development of a comorbidity index with physical function as the outcome. , 2005, Journal of clinical epidemiology.

[17]  Matthew Rizzo,et al.  Neuropsychological Predictors of Driving Errors in Older Adults , 2010, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

[18]  Keli A Braitman,et al.  Changes in Self-Regulatory Driving Among Older Drivers Over Time , 2011, Traffic injury prevention.

[19]  J. Friedland,et al.  From Confrontation to Collaboration: Making a Place for Dialogue on Seniors' Driving , 2009 .

[20]  Lindy Clemson,et al.  Contribution of off-road tests to predicting on-road performance: a critical review of tests. , 2012, Australian occupational therapy journal.

[21]  Carol Holland,et al.  The effect of age, gender and attitudes on self-regulation in driving. , 2012, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[22]  G. Naglie,et al.  The relationship between cognitive performance, perceptions of driving comfort and abilities, and self-reported driving restrictions among healthy older drivers. , 2013, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[23]  Robin A. Blanchard,et al.  Correspondence Among Older Drivers' Perceptions, Abilities, and Behaviors , 2008 .

[24]  Lisa Keay,et al.  A randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an individual, education-based safe transport program for drivers aged 75 years and older , 2013, BMC Public Health.

[25]  Carolyn A. Unsworth,et al.  Review of tests contributing to the occupational therapy off-road driver assessment , 2005 .

[26]  Beatriz Muñoz,et al.  Measures of visual function and their association with driving modification in older adults. , 2006, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[27]  K. Ball,et al.  Visual attention problems as a predictor of vehicle crashes in older drivers. , 1993, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[28]  Liisa Hakamies-Blomqvist,et al.  Deconstructing a gender difference: driving cessation and personal driving history of older women. , 2003, Journal of safety research.

[29]  Robin A. Blanchard,et al.  Examination of driving comfort and self-regulatory practices in older adults using in-vehicle devices to assess natural driving patterns. , 2010, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[30]  Nicol Korner-Bitensky,et al.  Assessing executive function in relation to fitness to drive: a review of tools and their ability to predict safe driving. , 2012, Australian occupational therapy journal.

[31]  S. Classen,et al.  Literature Review on Older Adult Gender Differences for Driving Self‐regulation and Cessation , 2009 .

[32]  Ozioma C. Okonkwo,et al.  Self-regulation of driving in the context of impaired visual attention: are there gender differences? , 2007 .

[33]  J. Fisher,et al.  The Trail-Making Test B and Driver Screening in the Emergency Department , 2009, Traffic injury prevention.

[34]  Annette Meng,et al.  Cognitive problems, self-rated changes in driving skills, driving-related discomfort and self-regulation of driving in old drivers. , 2012, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[35]  Michelle M. Porter,et al.  Correspondence between self-reported and objective measures of driving exposure and patterns in older drivers. , 2010, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[36]  A J McLean,et al.  Self-regulation of driving and its relationship to driving ability among older adults. , 2006, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[37]  Brian N. Fildes,et al.  Characteristics of Older Drivers who Adopt Self-Regulatory Driving Behaviours , 2006 .

[38]  Sherrilene Classen,et al.  Predicting older driver on-road performance by means of the useful field of view and trail making test part B. , 2013, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.