The purpose of this study was to determine whether an education program consisting of classroom and on-road training could enhance driving performance. A randomised, controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment was conducted. 126 community-living drivers 70 years of age and older were recruited from clinic and community sources. Participants randomised to intervention underwent two four-hour classroom and two one-hour on-road sessions focused on common problem areas for older drivers. Controls received one-on-one sessions directed at vehicle, home, and environment safety. Data collection: A written test was given and driving performance was assessed at the baseline and eight weeks later. An experienced evaluator in a dual-brake-equipped vehicle assessed on-road driving performance in urban, residential, and highway traffic. Driving performance was rated on a 36-item scale with potential scores ranging from 0 to 72 (higher scores were better). The written test included 20 knowledge and 8 road-sign questions and was scored from 0 to 28. The least-squares mean change in the road-test scores relative to the baseline was 2.87 points higher in the intervention than in the control group (p=0.001). The least-squares mean change in the written-test scores relative to the baseline was 3.45 points higher in the intervention than in the control group (p<0.001). An education program consisting of classroom and on-road training targeted to common errors older drivers make enhanced their performance on written and on-road tests. Such interventions may allow older drivers to continue driving safely for longer and maintain their out-of-home mobility. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting