There is growing concern regarding the need for screening of older drivers. The objective of this study was to determine whether the DriveABLE Competence Screen, a computerised test, predicts on-road driving outcome in clients referred for a driving assessment. This retrospective study evaluated the predictive validity of pre-road testing using the DriveABLE Screen. Fifty-two clients with varying health conditions were consecutively referred to a private practice that conducts comprehensive driving evaluations. Screen results are classified as recommend cessation of driving, indeterminate (requires on-road evaluation), or no evidence of reduced competence. The DriveABLE Road Test classifies subjects as pass, borderline pass, or fail. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were generated using the Road Test as the criterion outcome. The positive predictive validity of the Screen in identifying those who would fail the Road Test was 97% (n= 32 of 33). The negative predictive validity was 47%. The sensitivity was 76% with a corresponding specificity of 90%. The study concludes that the DriveABLE Screen, when used as a case finding tool, is highly predictive of clients who will fail an on-road driving evaluation. (Author/publisher)
Abstract