The Health, Mobility & Safety Lab at San Francisco State University.

The purpose of this research project at San Francisco State University was to develop and evaluate integrated assessment and intervention strategies to locate the "at risk" older driver and remediate deficits in knowledge or skills about driving and traffic safety. The identification of the "at risk" older driver should suggest appropriate, cost effective intervention points and procedures. The outcomes should be increased older driver mobility, driver safety, and increased traffic safety (i.e., reduced traffic accident and fatality rates) for all drivers and pedestrians. The effectiveness of a multi-phasic, programmatic approach to accident prevention was evaluated using a pretest-posttest control group design. Two hundred and fifty-four older drivers were screened to assess risk of accident. Those determined "at risk" continued in a classroom education program. If understanding of driving and traffic safety were not improved, driving simulation was used to remediate deficits. Results indicate that older drivers demonstrated improved attitudes and increased knowledge of driving and traffic safety but little change in skills when exposed to the three program phases individually. They demonstrated improved attitudes, increased knowledge and skills after exposure to the multi-phasic, programmatic approach, which was shown to be cost effective, particularly when delivered via the computer-based version. Appendix includes the Comprehensive Older Driver Assessment Program questionnaire. (Author/MSF)