Debra A. Kerrigan, MS, OTR/L
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Department of Rehabilitation Services
Drive Safe Program

“Skills for the Job of Living”
Drive Safe Program

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Independence
Freedom
Convenience
Connection and contribution to the community, friends, family
Respect
Pride of owning a vehicle
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

 How are today’s cars different ?
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

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What about the roads and driving today?
How has driving changed?
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

 Vision
 Strength, flexibility and reflexes
 Health conditions like arthritis
 Memory
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

Drive Safe Program

 Adjust mirrors properly before driving
 Check rearview mirror every 10 to 20 seconds
 Turn your head and look before changing lanes or merging with traffic
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Other tips….
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

Aging may bring diminished
 muscle strength to legs, arms, and handgrip—all important for vehicle control
 flexibility to look over the shoulder for checking traffic
 reaction time to respond to traffic or road hazards
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

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Drive Safe Program

Older adults may be more susceptible to adverse or strong reactions
 May take more medications, which increases the likelihood for interaction
 The body may not use medications as effectively and reacts more strongly to even lower doses
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

 Be aware of your reaction to medications, vitamins, and supplements.
 New medicine: Ask doctor or pharmacist about side effects.
 Medication makes you dizzy or drowsy:
Talk to doctor.
 Adjust your driving schedule to accommodate the reaction.
Drive Safe Program

Driving a car requires:
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Making decisions quickly which requires mental alertness.
Switching attention quickly to many situations happening on the road.
Dividing attention to perform many tasks such as steering, shifting gears checking mirrors and looking ahead.
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

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Organize your trip
Sunglasses in easy reach
Money ready for tolls
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 Read your map before you start your trip
Control your environment
Turn the radio/music down or off
Ask passengers to keep conversations down
Watch your temper
Drive on familiar roads
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

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Improve concentration on the road by getting enough sleep and rest
Practice habits of sleep health
 Avoid naps
 Develop a regular time to go to bed
 Do some physical activity each day
 Eat a light meal in the evening
 Avoid drinking tea, coffee, or cocoa 6 hours before bedtime
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

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When
Talk about driving before a problem develops.
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Why
The discussion is about your connection to the community and your control over your future.
 Driving discussions affect others—families, loved ones and friends, and those in the community that rely on you.
(DriveWell 1 )
Drive Safe Program

Drive Safe Program

 Most older drivers are safe
 Many older drivers self-restrict
 Majority of older drivers in the United States will outlive their ability to drive by about 7 to
10 years 3
 Objective assessments and driver
 rehabilitation can be helpful
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Drive Safe Program

 RMV:
 Evaluators lack specialized knowledge of health conditions and aging
 Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
 Specialized training
 Driving instructors: knowledge of driving
 Occupational therapists: knowledge of driving + medical conditions
Drive Safe Program

Clinical Assessment of Underlying Skills for Driving
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On-Road Assessment of Driving Performance
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Driving Recommendations
Drive Safe Program

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Drive Safe Program

1 American Society on Aging & National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. (2007). DriveWell: Promoting older driver safety and
mobility in your community. U.S. Department of Transportation. DOT HS
809 838.
2 Eby, D. W., & Molnar, L. J. (2008). “2008 North American License Policies
Workshop Proceedings.” AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Available: http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/LPWorkshopProceedings.pdf
3 Foley, D.J., Heimovitz, H.K., Guralnik, J., and Brock, D. (August 2002).
“Driving life expectancy of persons aged 70 years and older in the United
States.” American Journal of Public Health 92(8):1284–89.
Drive Safe Program