This paper looks at the potential use of on-road driving evaluations as a tool for helping older adults extend their safe driving years. Three separate research activities were conducted. The 1st was a national telephone survey of current and former older drivers. The results of this survey provide information relevant to the potential market for on-road driving evaluations. The 2nd was a series of focus groups with potential stakeholders in the process: driver educators, occupational therapists, and physicians. These groups explored feasibility and requirements of offering on-road driving evaluations to the wider public. Supplemental data was also collected from a national mail survey of driving schools. Based on results of these efforts, a number of recommendations are presented for expanding the availability of on-road driving evaluations, specifically to help older adults make more responsible decisions about continuing or stopping driving, and more generally to help them drive safely longer.
Samenvatting