Driving Decisions Workbook

An Effective Practice

Description

The Driving Decisions Workbook is a self-assessment tool for older drivers. The workbook is intended for drivers who are beginning to experience declines in driving abilities or loss of confidence in certain driving situations. The workbook gives feedback to help drivers make good driving decisions by increasing self-awareness and general knowledge, and by suggesting appropriate driving restrictions and clinical evaluations. The workbook also increases general awareness of age-related declines in driving abilities and serves as a tool to generate discussion with peers and within families. Licensed drivers aged 65 years and older are eligible for the program, which includes a questionnaire and driving test in addition to the Driving Decisions Workbook. The driving course is seven miles long, and features maneuvers based on recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the Driving Decisions Workbook is to increase self-awareness of driving skills in older adults.

Results / Accomplishments

After completing the workbook, 76.5% of the participants self-reported being more aware of changes that can affect driving. Among participants, 14% reported that they became aware of a change in themselves that they had not noticed prior to completing the workbook and driving course. All respondents found the workbook to be useful, and thought that the workbook helped facilitate family discussions. Workbook responses were significantly positively correlated with overall road test scores (p < 0.05).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
Primary Contact
David W. Eby, PhD
Transportation Research Institute
University of Michigan
2901 Baxter Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-763-8107
eby@umich.edu
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/1321
Topics
Community / Public Safety
Community / Transportation
Health / Older Adults
Organization(s)
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
Source
Journal of Safety Research
Date of publication
2003
Date of implementation
Dec 1999
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
For more details
Target Audience
Older Adults