As part
of the National Older Adult Driver
Safety Advisory Council, the MIT
AgeLab, along with members of the
Council, will conduct research to:
• Improve the effectiveness
of the AARP Driver Safety Program;
• Develop & introduce
innovation to the curriculum; and,
• Examine the efficacy of
older driver education.
Current activities underway include:
Older Driver Strength and
Flexibility Requirements
Although there are assumptions
about the role of physical strength
in the driver task, little empirical
evidence exists revealing the specific
amount of strength or flexibility
required to safely operate an automobile.
This exploratory study attempts
to shed new understanding on the
physical functioning component of
operating a motor vehicle and will
contribute to the development of
an assessment method and the development
of related physical strength and
flexibility indices that may contribute
to new DSP curriculum.
Self-Selection and the
Motivation to Participate in Older
Adult Driver Education
It is widely assumed that older
drivers choose to participate in
adult driver education programs
because of insurance premium discounts
offered in many states. However,
in Massachusetts no class-related
discount exists. MIT, in partnership
with AARP DSP is examining survey
data of DSP graduates and a comparable
population of Massachusetts older
drivers that have not elected to
take the course to understand key
differences between those that take
the course and those that do not.
This study will provide insights
into the potential self-selection
of students, motivations to pursue
lifelong safe driver education among
the 50+, and other findings that
may serve as a basis to continuously
improve the DSP nationwide.
Cross-National Motivations
& Models of Older Driver Education
Driver longevity has become a reality
in most industrialized countries.
Even in highly transit-oriented
nations, automobile ownership and
use is increasing across age groups.
Although considerable research emphasis
has been placed on the characteristics,
behaviors and relative safety of
older drivers across nations, very
little cross-national research has
been done on lifelong driver education.
Specifically, how are highly industrialized
nations with increasing auto use
addressing older driver education?
What are the motivations for older
drivers to participate in such programs?
Who develops and delivers curriculum?
How does content vary across nations,
e.g., is the sole emphasis on driving
or driving transitions and transit
use? The MIT AgeLab is conducting
research to develop and characterize
the state of older driver education
in selected nations with a focus
on Europe, Japan and other selected
nations. The results of this work
will provide guidance and insight
on public policy strategies, curriculum
and other potential innovations.
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