Keywords

aging, assessment, older drivers, psychometrics, reliability, validity

 

Authors

  1. Justiss, Michael D. PhD, OTR
  2. Mann, William C. PhD, OTR
  3. Stav, Wendy PhD, OTR, SCDCM
  4. Velozo, Craig PhD, OTR

Abstract

Many driving rehabilitation specialists and researchers have emphasized the "on-road" driving assessment as the most appropriate method to determine driving performance. Difficulty arises with consensus surrounding the standardization of the clinical assessment and on-road assessment protocols. This research was designed to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical utility of a standardized method for behind-the-wheel (BTW) driving assessment for older adults. Ninety-five older adults from the Gainesville, Fla, area were assessed for BTW performance by driving rehabilitation specialists. A global rating (criterion) of overall driving competence was correlated with an objective performance score. The global rating was found to be significantly correlated with the driving performance score (r = 0.84, P < .001). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for interrater (0.94) and test-retest (0.95) reliability for the performance score. Internal consistency for the BTW assessment was 0.94. These assessment methods and the course design provide a valid and reliable outcome measure of driving performance for older adults.