Premium
A community based survey of cognitive functioning, highway‐code performance and traffic accidents in a cohort of older drivers
Author(s) -
Ingley Sanjay,
Chinnaswamy Srinivasan,
Devakumar Manikarassa,
Bell Diana,
Tranter Richard
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.2097
Subject(s) - cohort , cognition , gerontology , poison control , occupational safety and health , code (set theory) , suicide prevention , human factors and ergonomics , injury prevention , psychology , cohort study , medicine , transport engineering , medical emergency , psychiatry , computer science , engineering , set (abstract data type) , programming language , pathology
Background The DVLA allows driving in early dementia contingent on regular medical assessment. GPs and psychiatrists require validated and accessible assessments. Some studies have suggested that cognitive testing has utility in the assessment of driving capacity in elderly drivers. One study raises the possibility of using a highway‐code questionnaire as an adjunct to these tests. Method Two hundred drivers over the age of 65 were randomly selected from two GP surgeries. Baseline assessment comprised completion of a Highway Code questionnaire (DPHC‐98), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and an abbreviated version of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subsection (EURO‐ADAS). A history of road traffic accidents (RTAs) over the preceding 5 years was obtained. At 12‐month follow‐up interview driving status of the subject and occurrence of RTAs were recorded. Predictive power of DPHC‐98 and cognitive testing with regards RTAs were examined through logistic regression analysis. Results Performance on the Highway Code questionnaire was identified as the only significant regression factor in the prediction of prospective RTAs. However, none of the logistic regression models were able to identify any drivers involved in RTAs either retrospectively or prospectively. Conclusion Cognitive tests are not linked with risk of driving accidents in older adults in any useful way. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.