A randomized trial of an education program to enhance older driver performance.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to determine whether an education program consisting of classroom and on-road training could enhance driving performance.


METHODS
This randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment enrolled 126 community-living drivers 70 years old or older who were recruited from clinic and community sources. Treatment assignment was concealed until eligibility was established. Participants randomized to intervention underwent two 4-hour classroom and two 1-hour on-road sessions focused on common problem areas of older drivers. Controls received modules directed at vehicle, home, and environmental safety. A knowledge test and driving performance were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. On-road driving performance was assessed by an experienced evaluator in a dual-brake-equipped vehicle in urban, residential, and highway traffic. Driving performance was rated on a 36-item scale with potential scores from 0 to 72 (higher score better). The knowledge test included 20 road knowledge and eight road sign questions, scored from 0 to 28 correct.


RESULTS
The least squares mean change in road test score relative to baseline was 2.87 points higher in the intervention than in the control group (p =.001). The least squares mean change in knowledge test scores relative to baseline was 3.45 points higher in the intervention than in the control group (p <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
An education program consisting of classroom and on-road training targeted to common errors of older drivers enhanced performance on knowledge and on-road tests. Such interventions offer older drivers the potential to continue driving safely longer and to maintain their out-of-home mobility.
Marottoli
Richard A
RA
Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, 20 York Street, TMP 15, New Haven, CT 06504, USA. Richard.Marottoli@ynhh.org
Ness
Peter H Van
PH
Araujo
Katy L B
KL
Iannone
Lynne P
LP
Acampora
Denise
D
Charpentier
Peter
P
Peduzzi
Peter
P
D000368:Aged; D001076:Aptitude; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*