Assessment of older drivers.
As concern increases about the safety of the aging driver, it is clear that the principal goal of assessment is to identify the unsafe driver and provide effective medical and rehabilitative services to enable the resumption of safe driving. When adequate restorative therapy is not possible, it is necessary to restrict or revoke the privilege of driving. Assessment also can reassure the safe older driver that he or she can continue operating a motor vehicle without restrictions. The process of assessing the older driver is best accomplished through the collaboration of health professionals and governmental agencies. The former identify and treat, if possible, medical conditions that may pose threats to safe driving; the latter establish guidelines of competency for driving tasks. These roles are complementary, although the settings and methods for these assessments are different. Moreover, the responsibilities of the physician and other health care professionals extend beyond the decision regarding driving and must consider the individual needs for driving, as well as the ramifications associated with its cessation.
Reuben
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DB
Multicampus Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States