Enhancement of Driving Performance Among Older Drivers

1. Enhancement of Driving Performance Among Older Drivers Research conducted by Yale University School of Medicine

2. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety • Established in 1947 • 501 (c)(3) Not-For-Profit • Research affiliate of AAA/CAA • North American Focus

3. Mission • Identify traffic safety problems • Foster research that seeks solutions • Disseminate information and educational materials

4. Funded through the generosity of and its members

5. Published October 2007 Prepared by: Yale University School of Medicine Available online at: www.aaafoundation.org

6. Our Aging Population... • Over 27 million Americans are 70 years old or older. • An estimated 20 million of them are licensed drivers. • U.S. Census Bureau estimates 37 million Americans will be 70+ by 2020, and over 50 million 70+ by 2030

7. ...and their need for safe mobility • Over 500,000 drivers aged 70+ were involved in police-reported crashes in 2006 • nearly 100,000 drivers 70+ injured • 2,819 killed • Many older adults need to drive to maintain independence; not driving associated with: • decreased participation in out-of-home activities • increased depressive symptoms

8. Driver improvement courses • Usually consist of classroom-based instruction, some also include behind-the-wheel training or practice • Research is mixed — most studies haven’t found benefits with classroom instruction, but a recent study found classroom + behind-the-wheel was effective

9. Purpose of study • To determine whether a driver training program including both in-class instruction and behind-the-wheel training could help older adults improve their driving

10. About the study: Driver Training Program • 8 hours of classroom instruction • based on AAA Driver Improvement Program • taught by AAA-certified instructors • topics included: driving risk, communication, speed, effects of medications on driving, vehicle safety features, etc. • Two behind-the-wheel sessions • First session addressed errors the driver made in initial road test • Second session reviewed these and addressed other common difficulties of older drivers

11. About the study: Participants • Age 70+ • valid Connecticut license • drive at least once a week • no serious medical problems • vision 20/70 or better • had not taken any driver education course in past year • initial road test score not “too low” (too dangerous) or “too high” (don’t need to take driving class) • recruited from medical clinics and elsewhere in community

12. About the study: Evaluation • 126 participants randomly assigned to either of 2 groups: • 69 took the Driver Training Program (“driver training group”) • 57 took an alternative program that did not involve any driving instruction, training, or practice (“control group”) • Both groups took knowledge test and road test before program and repeated tests 8 weeks later

13. Results • Drivers who participated in the driver training program improved their scores on both the knowledge test and the road test • The driver education group improved more than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant

14. Conclusions and Recommendations • Older drivers who participated in this driver training program significantly improved their driving • More research is needed to: • determine what components of the program are most effective • identify what drivers can benefit most from this type of program • study the longer-term safety impact of the training program—does it prevent crashes?

15. For more information, please go to: www.aaafoundation.org

16. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a 501(c)(3) public charity located in Washington, DC that is dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries. It is supported by donations from AAA/CAA Clubs, AAA/CAA members, and other organizations associated with AAA/CAA.