This report presents the findings of a research project which evaluated the utility and effectiveness of a training initiative aimed at senior drivers. A literature review indicated that drivers aged 75 and over have an increased risk of driving incidents. Dorset County Council developed a training course aimed at drivers aged 75 and over which offered both classroom-based training and on-road practical driving refresher sessions. As this was a pilot project, the course was offered free of charge. The aim was to recruit 100 senior drivers to the initiative, providing sufficient numbers for an evaluation of the project. Recruitment was by advertisements in local press, social media, leaflets, email alerts and the Dorsetforyou.com website. A multi-method approach was taken using both qualitative and quantitative research methods which incorporated questionnaires, practical driving sessions, interviews, and focus groups. We used a pre- and post- intervention study design. Senior drivers were asked to rate their own driving ability, knowledge of the Highway Code and their confidence in driving before and after a classroom based course on driving theory. They then were taken out on a practical driving refresher session with a Dorset County Council Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). During this practical drive participants were informed of any driving faults or errors and instructed on how to correct these. The ADIs provided advice on driving safely. Each driver was scored on a range of categories and given a total score of driving competence. After the first drive, participants were asked to re-rate their driving confidence and ability. Six months after the first drive, each driver was offered a second practical drive to assess driving errors or faults. They were re-scored on the same categories and given a total score. The two sets of scores were compared to see if drivers had learned and improved since the first practical session. One year after the initial classroom training, and after the practical drives, drivers were once again asked to rate their driving confidence and ability and to describe how their driving behaviour has changed. The principal aims of the research were as follows: I. To measure the effectiveness of classroom and practical training on safe driving among senior drivers by assessing driving skills and confidence levels before and after training II. To evaluate the utility and acceptability of these training courses to senior drivers. In order to achieve these aims, the research project comprised of eight main elements: 1. Pre-course questionnaire to collect demographic data and driving history, confidence as a driver and assessment of own driving ability. Also to collect data on the driver’s expectations of the course and which areas of driving they wished to improve. 2. Post-course questionnaire to collect data on how useful participants found the course, whether they intend to alter their driving behaviour, and what other areas they would like to see covered in the course. Also to collect data on the knowledge participants had gained from the course and if their confidence as a driver had altered. 3. Practical drive with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) to assess driving and provide tuition and advice to correct any faults. Using a structured evaluation form, each participant was given a score on a range of categories, a total error score, and also a total score of driving ability. 4. Post-first practical questionnaire to collect data on how useful participants had found the driving refresher session and give their overall impressions of the course. Participants were asked to rate their confidence as a driver and their driving ability to see if this had changed after the driving practical session. 5. Second practical drive with an ADI approximately six months later to re-assess driving performance and see if participants had improved their driving and put into practice the training given at the first driving session. Each participant was given a score on each of the same range of categories, a total score of driving ability, and an error score. These scores were compared with those of the first practical session. 6. Focus groups were held with drivers who had taken part in both the theory and practical elements of the Dorset Driver Gold initiative. The main aims were: a) to discuss the findings of the questionnaires and practical drives; b) to explore the main driving issues for older drivers; c) to explore the benefits and limitations of the DDG; and d) to identify ways of reaching senior drivers who most need driving tuition and advice. 7. Survey of the views of ADIs after the first and second practical drives using both a questionnaire and interviews. 8. Final follow-up questionnaire to senior drivers who had completed at least one practical driving session. Recruitment to the DDG initiative was very successful and the target study sample of 100 was exceeded. A total of 144 senior drivers aged between 75 and 91 years took part in the study. The mean age was 79 years, two-thirds were male. One hundred and forty-one drivers completed at least one questionnaire relating to the theory session. One hundred and twenty-three had at least one practical driving refresher session, 72 drivers completed the final post-practical questionnaire. Fifteen drivers took part in the focus groups. Data analyses were performed using two age groups: “younger” = 75 to 79 years (93 participants) and “older” = 80+ years (51 participants). The main results of each of the sub-studies are presented. (Author/publisher)
Abstract