Increasing self-awareness among older drivers: the role of self-screening.
BACKGROUND
Self-screening by older drivers has shown considerable promise for increasing self-awareness about functional abilities associated with safe driving. The purpose of this study was to improve upon existing self-screening instruments by focusing entirely on "health concerns" that affect driving - that is, the symptoms that people experience due to medical conditions and the medications used to treat them - rather than the medical conditions or medications themselves.


METHODS
A computer-based, easy-to-use self-screening instrument for older drivers was developed to provide individualized feedback intended to increase self-awareness about declines in driving-related abilities, as well as suggestions for behavioral changes or safety tips to maintain safe driving, further evaluation from a physician/health professional, and vehicle modifications to help compensate for driving-related declines.


RESULTS
This paper describes the development of the self-screening instrument and summarizes findings relative to increasing self-awareness among older drivers. This research represents an important first step in improving self-awareness among older drivers through self-screening.
Molnar
Lisa J
LJ
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Michigan Center for Advancing Safe Transportation throughout the Lifespan (M-CASTL), 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150, USA. ljmolnar@umich.edu
Eby
David W
DW
Kartje
Paula S
PS
St Louis
Renée M
RM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires