Effect of driving training on car crashes and driving skills in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The primary aim of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of driving interventions with regard to a reduction in motor vehicle crashes and improvements in driving skills among older people. The secondary aim was to identify the optimal type (on-road or off-road) and dosage (period, sessions, and duration) of driving interventions for improving driving skills in older people. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Scopus of Systematic Reviews for papers published from their inception to December 1, 2020, as well as the reference lists of the included papers. The selected studies were randomized controlled trials examining the effects of driving interventions among community-dwelling older drivers aged 65 years and over. A meta-analysis of two studies (n = 960) showed that driving interventions significantly reduced the number of motor vehicle crashes per person-years. Ten studies (n = 575) were included in the meta-analysis showing that the interventions significantly improved the driving skill scores. Driving skill scores significantly improved after on-road training, and in interventions of at least 3 h, 3 sessions, and 3 weeks. Driving interventions significantly improve driving skills and reduce motor vehicle crashes among older drivers aged 65 years and over. On-road training is more efficacious than off-road training and driving interventions of at least 3 h taking place in 3 sessions over a period of 3 weeks may be required to improve driving skills in older drivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; center dot center dot: center dot center dot-center dot center dot. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the first synthesized evidence demonstrating the efficacy of driving interventions in improving driving skills and reducing motor vehicle crashes among older adult drivers aged 65 years and over. Moreover, the subgroup analysis of intervention type indicates that on-road training is more efficacious than off-road training. Regarding intervention dosage, our findings implied that driving interventions of at least 3 h taking place in 3 sessions over a period of 3 weeks may be required to improve older adults' driving skills.image

Automated summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the first synthesized evidence demonstrating the efficacy of driving interventions in improving driving skills and reducing motor vehicle crashes among older adult drivers aged 65 years and over. Moreover, the subgroup analysis of intervention type indicates that on-road training is more efficacious than off-road training. Regarding intervention dosage, our findings imply that driving interventions of at least 3 h taking place in 3 sessions over a period of 3 weeks may be required to improve older adults' driving skills.