63
Views
9
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Improving Driving Performance of Senior Drivers Through Self-Monitoring with a Driving Diary

, , , &
Pages 55-64 | Published online: 28 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

This study investigated whether self-monitoring of driving by use of driving diaries would improve driving performance in senior drivers. Forty-seven drivers (20 male, 27 females) aged 59 to 87 (mean age = 71.3, SD = 7.4) completed 30 consecutive daily driving diaries assessing driving performance and dangerous events while driving, as part of a larger study. It was incidentally noted that the reported driving of many subjects appeared to be improving over time. Therefore, diary entries for the first four days were compared to the last four days to assess whether this improvement was statistically significant. Paired t-tests revealed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in: maintaining steady speed; keeping up with traffic; maintaining lane position; and a trend toward decreased drifting out of lane (p = .056). McNemar Change Test revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the number of subjects encountering dangerous events (i.e., turning the wrong way in one-way situations, slamming on brakes, near collisions, or collisions). On the other hand, subjects reported rolling through stop signs with a fairly high frequency, which did not decrease over time (p = .4), supporting the veracity and consistency of diary reports. Self-monitoring of driving through use of driving diaries rapidly improved reported driving performance and reduced dangerous driving events in this sample of senior drivers. This finding was quite unexpected and it needs replication. Use of this simple and inexpensive intervention may help to significantly reduce motor vehicle accidents and injuries among senior drivers.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian D. Kiernan

Jennifer R. Johnson was a graduate student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX at the time of this study. She is currently employed as an Occupational Therapist at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, LA

Debra Stewart is Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University and staff therapist at Erinoak Centre, Missis-sauga, Ontario. She is currently completing a MSc (Design, Measurement and Evaluation) at McMaster University.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.