New guidelines to determine if people are safe to drive
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Researchers have come up with a new set of guidelines designed to offer clearer clinical pathways that health workers and elderly carers can use in order to determine which patients are safe to be driving. The guidelines are specifically focused on identifying dementia patients that drive.
The guidelines were presented at the April 11th, Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society and offers professionals assistance, tips, and advice when it comes to discussing driving with elderly patients. Not only does it offer advice to help lead the discussions, but it also offers advice on how to properly approach the situation from the a clinical standpoint.
The guidelines were developed by Newcastle University professor Dr. John Paul Taylor and Assistant Psychologist Kristy Carter. In particular the pathway pays close attention at the many risks that dementia patients present to themselves and others on the road if they choose to get behind the wheel at their advanced age. In addition, the guidelines also account for other severe mental impairments outside of dementia that could also have an adverse affect on driving.
Some of these alternative mental impairments include disorientation and short term memory problems. According to Carter, the guidance was very well received at the conference and many stakeholders and clinical colleagues have stated their approval for the ideas outlined within the report.
She went on to explain that many psychologists from across the UK showed interest in using the pathway within their own practices so there is a very wide chance that it will be spread across the UK. In the past years elderly drivers have become an increasing danger on the road prompting for new legislation that allows police officers to immediately revoke licenses of elderly drivers that they feel are unfit to be on the road pending further testing.
