DriveSafe and DriveAware Assessment Tools Are a Measure of Driving-Related Function and Predicts Self-Reported Restriction for Older Drivers.
Safety concerns together with aging of the driving population has prompted research into clinic-based driving assessments. This study investigates the relationship between the DriveSafe and DriveAware assessments and restriction of driving. Community-dwelling adults aged more than 75 (n = 380) were recruited in New South Wales, Australia. Questionnaires were administered to assess driving habits and functional assessments to assess driving-related function. Self-reported restriction was prevalent in this cross-sectional sample (62%) and was related to DriveSafe scores and personal circumstances but not DriveAware scores. DriveSafe scores were correlated with better performance on the Trail-Making Test (TMT; β = -2.94, p < .0001) and better contrast sensitivity (β = 48.70, p < .0001). Awareness was associated with better performance on the TMT (β = 0.08, p < .0001). Our data suggest that DriveSafe and DriveAware are sensitive to deficits in vision and cognition, and drivers with worse DriveSafe scores self-report restricting their driving.
Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Claire
C
Allan
The George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia kcoxon@georgeinstitute.org.au.
Kristy
K
Coxon
Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Anita
A
Bundy
The George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Laura
L
Peattie
The George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Lisa
L
Keay
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety; D057566:Self Report; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*
assessment tool; driving; older drivers