Title : Factors relating to the self-assessment of driving skill for members of silver human resource centers in rural areas
Abstract:
Background: Despite the decrease in the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents in Japan, the proportion of traffic accident deaths among the elderly is increasing. For the elderly, driving a car is indispensable not only as a means of transportation in daily life, but also as a means of accessing outpatient appointments and treatment activities associated with age-related health problems. The number of elderly driving out necessity despite their own reservations is expected to gradually increase in regions with limited public transport, due to the reduction and abolition of private sector bus routes brought on by population decline. Moreover, many elderly people are forced to drive in order to work. Factors relating to the self-assessment of driving skill by the elderly working in rural areas remain unclear. Studies on the prevention of traffic accidents among the elderly working in rural areas are needed.
Aim: To identify factors relating to self-assessment of driving skill for the elderly working at the Silver Human Resource Centers (SC) in rural areas.
Method: In May 2018, a self-report questionnaire survey was administered to all 293 SC members in Y-cho, a rural area of X Prefecture. Questionnaire items were the ① Participant characteristics, ② Motivation to Work, ③ Driving Status, and ④ score on the "Driving Cognitive Impairment Early Detection Checklist-30". The analysis method involved descriptive statistics followed by a binary logistic regression analysis, with self-evaluation of driving skill as the objective variable and other factors as the explanatory variables.
Results: There were 141 (48.1%) valid responses. The results of the binomial logistic regression analysis indicate significant associations between self-evaluation of driving skill and driving frequency, presence of regular doctor appointments, motivation to work, and desire to surrender the driving license.
Conclusion: The association with current driving frequency and motivation to work, rather than the screening checklist, suggests the necessity of support which provides due consideration to the purpose of driving.
