By Carol Church, Writer, Family Album
Reviewed by Martie Gillen, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida, and Suzanna Smith, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida
When older adults start to experience physical or cognitive limitations, few subjects are as stressful or tricky as the question of when to stop driving. Unfortunately, drivers over age 75 do have higher crash rates than other groups. How can family members determine if their older drivers are still safe on the road?
The Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure developed by the University of Florida may help. This screening tool is unique because it relies on observations from caregivers and family members, rather than drivers themselves. This method has been shown to be more accurate than self-assessment and is less expensive than an evaluation of the driver by a professional.
Those who are filling out the measure rate the driver’s skills in various areas, such as turning left across multiple lanes and merging. Based on the answers, drivers are classified as Accomplished, meaning there are no concerns, Routine, meaning there are a few signs of problems, or At-Risk, indicating that the older person should stop driving. After completing the screening, the loved ones are given specific recommendations as to what steps, if any, should be taken next. For instance, recommendations may include consulting a health care practitioner or specially trained occupational therapist for evaluations and more guidance.
If screening does reveal concerns, it may not mean that the older adult should stop driving. Physical changes to the car’s interior, help with vision problems, and training from occupational therapists may be able to keep everyone a little safer on the roadway. To access the screening measure and learn more, visit Fitness to Drive.
(Photo credit: Driving Cars in a Traffic Jam by epSos.de. CC License.)
References:
Classen, S., et al. (2010). Item development and validity testing for a self- and proxy report: The Safe Driving Behavior Measure. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64(2), 296-305.
Classen, S., et al. (2013). Concurrent criterion validity of the Safe Driving Behavior Measure: A predictor of on-road driving outcomes. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, 108–116. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2013.005116
Fitness-to-drive screening measure (FTDS) user manual. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://ftds.phhp.ufl.edu/pdf/user_manual.pdf
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (2009). Fatality facts 2009: Older people. Retrieved from http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2009/olderpeople.html
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