Citation

Janke MK. J. Saf. Res. 2001; 32(1): 43-74.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Problem: As they age, people increasingly incur functional disabilities that may limit the conditions under which they can drive safely or reduce their driving safety more generally. In order to make sound licensing decisions for impaired drivers, licensing agencies need to identify them and then evaluate their driving. Method: Separate pilot studies were carried out at two sites; subjects were licensed older drivers. Different batteries of nondriving tests were assessed at the two sites, although the same road test, a modified version of California's Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE), was used at both. Test scores were used in logistic regression and multiple linear regression analyses to predict subject group in Study 1 (referral vs. volunteer, cognitive status group among referrals) and, in both studies, weighted total errors on the road test. Results: On the average, volunteers performed better than referrals and cognitively unimpaired referrals performed better than referrals who were cognitively impaired. Discussion: The purpose of these exploratory studies was limited to suggesting promising avenues of approach to older driver assessment. Summary: A promising group of tests was identified for further validation in a more extensive field study, planned to include experienced drivers of any age at several DMV offices. Impact on industry: Any change in licensure testing springing from results of DMV's research program will impact that agency and possibly other licensing agencies; it may also stimulate research by test developers and others into devising better ways of identifying and assessing functionally impaired drivers.