Behind the wheel: Can education enhance self-regulation among older drivers living in the community? An investigation into safe community mobility in later life
This thesis investigated driving patterns of older Australians and evaluated a safe-transport program designed to enhance self-regulation, while maintaining community participation. A sample of 380 drivers aged 75 years and older (mean age: 80±4 years) from northwest Sydney were recruited and in-vehicle monitoring devices installed in their vehicles. Participants took short trips (≈5km) and drove 100 kilometres in one week, on average. Older drivers with poorer function, and lower confidence took shorter trips, closer to home. Half of the participants were randomised to receive the ‘Behind the Wheel’ program. While there was no significant difference in distance driven per week over 12-months (between-group difference:-5.5km,95%CI:-24.5-13.5km), intervention group participants were more engaged in self-regulatory driving practices than those in the control (OR:1.6,95%CI:1.1-2.3). Importantly there was no difference in community participation (between-group difference:-0.1,95%CI:-0.6-0.3), but older drivers with low function in the intervention group were 3.1 times more likely to report depressive symptoms (95%CI: 1.04-9.2). Taking ownership of the planning process was found to be important to reduced driving exposure in the process evaluation. Women and participants who understood the program content were more likely to take ownership. ‘Behind the Wheel’ had greatest impact with older, lower functioning drivers, suggesting a targeted approach
