Assessment of older drivers in New Zealand: The current system, research and recommendations

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to clarify the current New Zealand driving licensing requirements for older adults and to provide practical recommendations for those health professionals who make decisions regarding driving ability in older adults. Health professionals involved in the assessment of older drivers were asked to clarify areas where more efficient use could be made of assessment resources. A review of driving literature was performed to find specific factors associated with increased risk of negative driving outcomes in older adults. Particular attention was paid to the suitability of different types of on-road assessment for certain patient groups, the effect of specific diseases and medications on driving safety, and the effect of cognitive impairment. A list of seven recommendations were compiled which include a focus on appropriate on-road driving assessment referral, driver refresher courses, cognitive screening for those presenting for licence renewal and sensitive broaching of the topic of driving cessation.

Examining Prominent Causes of Traffic Injury Severity in Louisiana with Multinomial Logistic Models

“…), which most likely contribute to all types of injury (32). Hoggarth et al (37) lament the effects of multiple medications (non-steroid anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants.) on fatal accidents.…”

Driving, dementia and Australian physicians: primum non nocere?

“…Measures worthy of consideration include: Increased awareness by physicians of the updated Austroads national guidelines and of local legislative requirements (Table ); Open, direct and early discussion of a diagnosis of dementia with patients and their families should be considered. This would allow management strategies to be put in place promptly and enable patients and their families to plan for the future; The current Austroads guidelines should be amended to fall in line with both the ANZSGM position statement and the AAN practice parameter: all drivers with dementia should undergo medical review every 6 months; A variable state and territory approach to older driver assessment and reporting requirements is not ideal and warrants review. A consistent national standard is needed. Mandatory reporting requirements should be abolished in all states and territories and indemnity from civil liability should be afforded to health professionals nationally (including the Northern Territory); Beran and Devereux proposed that Australian driver licences should display a ‘bold and unequivocal notice’ advising drivers of their responsibility to report any medical conditions that may affect their capacity to drive safely; Federal government funding of occupational therapy on‐road driver assessments would remove an important barrier to assessment; and Future research efforts could be directed towards solving the unmet mobility and transport needs of older Australians. …”

“…Measures worthy of consideration include: • Increased awareness by physicians of the updated Austroads national guidelines 31 and of local legislative requirements ( Table 2); • Open, direct and early discussion of a diagnosis of dementia with patients and their families should be considered. This would allow management strategies to be put in place promptly and enable patients and their families to plan for the future; 13,25 • The current Austroads guidelines 31 should be amended to fall in line with both the ANZSGM position statement 11 and the AAN practice parameter: 19 all drivers with dementia should undergo medical review every 6 months; 38,39 • A variable state and territory approach to older driver assessment and reporting requirements is not ideal and warrants review. A consistent national standard is needed.…”

The role of the Australasian Journal on Ageing in the Asia‐Oceania region

“…New Zealand authors reporting research in New Zealand accounted for four papers , one with co‐authors from Australia and another with UK co‐authors, and a letter . The five contributions from Japan were two papers with Australian co‐authors , two from Japanese authors and one with US co‐authors .…”