Functional Assessment of Driving Capacity of Older Drivers Compared with Non-older Drivers Using Clinical Evaluations and Driving Simulations.

BACKGROUND: This study used various tools, including a self-assessment questionnaire, the Clinical Assessment of Driver-Related Skills (CADReS), and a driving simulation, to discriminate between older and non-older drivers. METHODS: We evaluated driving habits, driving-related health behaviors, and morbidities using a self-assessment questionnaire and examined visual, motor, and cognitive functions using the CADReS and a vehicle simulator of four junction scenarios that are typical of accidents involving older drivers. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated to compare the age-related discriminating ability of these tools between older (≥65 years) and non-older participants. RESULTS: Thirty of the 40 participants (75%) were older. Older drivers were slower than non-older drivers according to the rapid walking pace (8.0 vs. 6.1 seconds), and their cognitive function was poorer based on the trail-making test (117 vs. 51 seconds). While driving on the vehicle simulator, the rate of violating traffic rules was higher and the maximal velocity was slower in the older group than in the non-older group. The AUC values for CADReS and driving simulation outcomes ranged from 0.59 to 0.95, while the rapid walking pace, trail-making test, and velocity of the left turn at an acute junction in the dark showed high discriminatory power (AUC>0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The rapid walking pace and trail-making test in CADReS, as well as the driving simulation, were useful tools to discriminate between older and non-older drivers.

A data mining approach to deriving safety policy implications for taxi drivers.

INTRODUCTION: Traffic safety issues associated with taxis are important because the frequency of taxi crashes is significantly higher than that of other vehicle types. The purpose of this study is to derive safety implications to be used for developing policies to enhance taxi safety based on analyzing intrinsic characteristics underlying the cause of traffic accidents. METHOD: An in-depth questionnaire survey was conducted to collect a set of useful data representing the intrinsic characteristics. A total of 781 corporate taxi drivers participated in the survey in Korea. The proposed analysis methodology consists of two-stage data mining techniques, including a random forest method, with data that represents the working condition and welfare environment of taxi drivers. In the first stage, the drivers' intrinsic characteristics were derived to classify four types of taxi drivers: unspecified normal, work-life balanced, overstressed, and work-oriented. Next, priority was determined for classifying high-risk taxi drivers based on factors derived from the first analysis. RESULTS: The derived policies can be categorized into three groups: 'the development of new policies,' 'the improvement of existing policies,' and 'the elimination of negative factors.' Establishing a driving capability evaluation system for elderly drivers, developing mental health management programs for taxi drivers, and inspecting the taxi's internal conditions were proposed as new policies. Improving the driver's wage system, supporting the improvement of rest facilities, and supporting the installation of security devices for protecting taxi drivers are methods for improving existing policies to reinforce the traffic safety of taxi drivers. Last, restricting overtime work for taxi drivers was proposed as a policy to eliminate negative factors for improving taxi traffic safety. Practical Applications: It is expected that by devising effective policies using the policy implications suggested in this study, taxi traffic accidents can be prevented and the quality of life of taxi drivers can be improved.

Effects of an adult passenger on young adult drivers' driving speed: roles of an adult passenger's presence and driving tips from the passenger.

An adult passenger has been known to facilitate young drivers' safe driving. This study examined whether the adult passenger's effect is produced by the simple presence of an adult passenger or by the driving tips offered by the passenger. Further, we examined whether the effect would be transferred to when a young driver drives alone without the adult passenger in the following session. Three groups of participants drove on expressway in a driving simulator, either alone, with a silent adult passenger, or with an adult passenger who gave advice on driving safety. After a break, participants in all three conditions drove on the same expressway alone. Results showed that participants who drove with an adult passenger providing driving tips drove more safely than the other groups, and the effect was transferred to even when they drove alone afterwards.