Safer drivers smart options: keys to lifelong mobility

Abstract

The population of Michigan is growing older. Older adults age 60 or older will represent about 25% of Michigan’s population by 2030. Older adults consider mobility and independence to be essential aspects of maintaining quality of life. In response to this pressing societal issue, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) sought to plan, test, and implement an effective, sustainable statewide safety education and intervention strategy for helping drivers age 60 or older continue driving for as long they can safely do so, retire from driving when appropriate, and stay safely mobile after stopping driving. MDOT’s vision was to have an integrated statewide strategy that promoted practices for older adult mobility targeted at the older adults themselves, the families and friends of older adults, and the professionals that work with these two groups on transportation and mobility issues. The strategy was envisioned to be comprised of three components: education, direct intervention, and administration/collaboration. MDOT contracted with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) to perform a variety of activities to assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the strategy in a three-phase (3 year) project. In Phase 1, potential models and design alternatives for a sustainable statewide strategy were identified. In Phase 2, the strategy elements were developed, tested, and named Safe Drivers Smart Options (SDSO): Keys to Lifelong Mobility. In Phase 3, the strategy was implemented and evaluated. The development and initial implementation of the SDSO has been a success, despite the relatively low awareness of SDSO among Michigan's older adults and informal caregivers at this time. Recommendations for SDSO continued implementation are presented.