As a next step in the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plan to reduce the number of traffic injury and fatality crashes among Florida’s older adult population, SRA Research Group (SRA) conducted a health care needs assessment to support the efforts of the Safe Mobility for Life Coalition (SMFLC). This effort is designed to support the comprehensive state-wide Aging Road User Strategic Safety Plan, designed to reduce crashes by improving the safety, access, and mobility of Florida’s aging road users. SRA surveyed older adult service providers and health care professionals who interact with aging road users and at-risk drivers age 50 and over. The goals of the research were to understand the awareness, knowledge, and information needs of professionals to address issues regarding aging road users and at-risk drivers in Florida. The survey found a majority of professionals have conversations with older adults about driving, and a majority felt physicians, vision specialists, and family members should be the ones having these conversations. One barrier to discussing driving is a lack of resources to assess drivers, and most feel a simple screening test would be of value to them. In addition, few have the information and tools they need to educate on driver safety and mobility. The study demonstrated the need to develop and/or disseminate the right outreach and resource materials that can help service providers, older adults, and health care professionals address the issue of aging road users in their own community. (Author/publisher)
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