It is estimated that in Japan there are approximately 0.35 million people with dementia who continue to drive. With the amendment to Section 103 of the Road Traffic Act in 2002, dementia is now included as a reason for license revocation. However, it has been argued that the implementation of the Act leaves much to be desired. Interviews with licensing officers, revealed problems with the Act: (1) there is no clear definition of ‘dementia’; (2) is it right for the authority to deprive people in an early stage of dementia of self-sustainability? ; and (3) little description is provided as to how to assess such people in terms of ‘fitness to drive’. In particular, it remains to be defined who in practice ultimately makes the decision regarding driving cessation of older adults with dementia. The present study investigated: (1) who plays a major role in deciding driving cessation of older adults with dementia (hereinafter ‘patients ’); (2) what are the current practices of family caregivers regarding attempt s for driving cessation of patient s; and (3) what are the necessary requirements for enabling the cessation of driving. (Author/publisher)
Abstract