Citation

Stutts JC, Wilkins JW. J. Saf. Res. 2003; 34(4): 431-439.

Affiliation

Highway Safety Research Center, University of North Carolina, 730 Airport Road, Campus Box 3430 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3430, USA. jane_stutts@unc.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14636665

Abstract

PROBLEM: This paper explores the potential use of on-road driving evaluations as a tool for helping older adults extend their safe driving years. METHOD: Three separate research activities were carried out. The first 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 second was a series of focus groups with potential stakeholders in the process: driver educators, occupational therapists, and physicians. These groups explored the feasibility and requirements of offering on-road driving evaluations to the wider public. Supplemental data were also collected from a mail survey of driving schools nationwide. RESULTS: Based on the 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.