Citation

Camp BJ. J. Saf. Res. 2013; 47: 1-8.

Affiliation

Research and Development Branch, California Department of Motor Vehicles, 2570 24th St., M/S H126, Sacramento, CA 95818, United States. Electronic address: bayliss.camp@dmv.ca.gov.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2013.06.002

PMID

24237864

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In 2007, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) undertook a pilot study of the 3-Tier Assessment System, the purpose of which was to examine, in a large-scale real-time public agency setting, the effectiveness of this method for both reducing the crash risk of individual drivers and for extending the safe driving years of Californian drivers of all ages.

METHOD: The 3-Tier Assessment System consisted of tiered series of screening tools incorporated into the in-office driver's license renewal process. These screening tools identified drivers with various kinds of functional limitations (physical, visual, and cognitive/perceptual), that might impact safe driving. Paired with the screening tools were educational materials designed to improve drivers' knowledge of their own limitations, including compensating techniques. The present study is a population-based evaluation of the effects of the pilot on subsequent crash risk and mobility outcomes (including delicensure) of participating drivers age 70 and older. Pilot participants were compared with two control groups processed according to standard California DMV license renewal procedures. Because the 3-Tier Assessment System was designed to identify limitations normally associated with aging, the present analyses focus on drivers age 70 and older. However, it should be emphasized that during the 3-Tier pilot the screening tools were applied to drivers of all ages.

RESULTS: There were two main findings. First, there were no consistent, statistically significant differences between the pilot and control groups in crash risk in the two years following screening. Second, pilot participants experienced statistically significant effects on mobility. These effects included delays in time to complete their license renewal, an increase in the number of assigned license restrictions, and an increase in the number of customers failing to renew their driving privilege.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, suggestions for further research are made.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: None.

Language: en