Recognizing the importance of driving and the potential negative impact of driving cessation, the present study sought to understand the effectiveness of interventions aimed at maintaining older driver safety. Driving rehabilitation specialists (DRSs) are trained professionals, typically occupational therapists, who conduct assessments of older drivers. DRSs frequently provide recommendations to older drivers, but the impact of these recommendations on older drivers' performance is unknown. This study evaluated common and recalled driving rehabilitation specialists' recommendations for older drivers in order to determine best practices for DRS and delineate important components of driving performance and older drivers' safety.

Common driving recommendations were examined for a sample of 118 older adults who had a clinical and road test driving assessment. Overall, 22% of drivers (n=26) had recommendations to avoid driving conditions (i.e., night, high traffic); 78% (n=92) had driving behavior recommendations such as increasing the following distance, scanning, or signaling; 22.9% (n=27) had recommendations to take a driving course or read a driver's handbook, and 11.9% (n=14) had recommendations to take behind-the-wheel training. The results showed different patterns of recommendations for unsafe and safe drivers. After 2.5 years, 65 participants completed a telephone interview and approximately 80% recalled driving recommendations provided to them by the DRS, with recall of recommendations mainly related to driving behaviors and avoidance of conditions. Driving recommendations are described in light of the Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model of successful aging. At follow-up, driving habits of participants did not differ by driving performance classification (unsafe, safe with recommendations, and safe). Over time, older adults reduced the days driven per week, but were making more trips, going more places, and driving more miles, suggesting the value and preference for the car as the main means of transportation.