Abstract
BackgroundSelf-report assessments for elderly drivers are used in various countries for accessible, widespread self-monitoring of driving ability in the elderly population. Likewise, in South Korea, a paper-based Self-Report Assessment for Elderly Driving Risk (SAFE-DR) has been developed. Here, we implemented the SAFE-DR through an Android app, which provides the advantages of accessibility, convenience, and provision of diverse information, and verified its reliability and validity.ObjectiveThis study tested the validity and reliability of a mobile app-based version of a self-report assessment for elderly persons contextualized to the South Korean culture and compared it with a paper-based test.MethodsIn this mixed methods study, we recruited and interviewed 567 elderly drivers (aged 65 years and older) between August 2018 and May 2019. For participants who provided consent, the app-based test was repeated after 2 weeks and an additional paper-based test (Driver 65 Plus test) was administered. Using the collected data, we analyzed the reliability and validity of the app-based SAFE-DR. The internal consistency of provisional items in each subdomain of the SAFE-DR and the test-retest stability were analyzed to examine reliability. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine the validity of the subdomain configuration. To verify the appropriateness of using an app-based test for older drivers possibly unfamiliar with mobile technology, the correlation between the results of the SAFE-DR app and the paper-based offline test was also analyzed.ResultsIn the reliability analysis, Cronbach α for all items was 0.975 and the correlation of each item with the overall score ranged from r=0.520 to r=0.823; 4 items with low correlations were removed from each of the subdomains. In the retest after 2 weeks, the mean correlation coefficient across all items was r=0.951, showing very high reliability. Exploratory factor analysis on 40 of the 44 items established 5 subdomains: on-road (8 items), coping (16 items), cognitive functions (5 items), general conditions (8 items), and medical health (3 items). A very strong negative correlation of –0.864 was observed between the total score for the app-based SAFE-DR and the paper-based Driver 65 Plus with decorrelation scales. The app-based test was found to be reliable.ConclusionsIn this study, we developed an app-based self-report assessment tool for elderly drivers and tested its reliability and validity. This app can help elderly individuals easily assess their own driving skills. Therefore, this assessment can be used to educate drivers and for preventive screening for elderly drivers who want to renew their driver’s licenses in South Korea. In addition, the app can contribute to safe driving among elderly drivers.
Highlights
Driving increases the autonomy of elderly individuals, which helps them to participate in activities in the local community and at home [1]
We developed the Self-Report Assessment for Elderly Driving Risk (SAFE-DR) as an app-based self-report assessment for elderly drivers in South Korea
We tested the reliability and validity of the SAFE-DR in a mobile environment and demonstrated that the app-based testing method can be effectively used for elderly drivers
Summary
Driving increases the autonomy of elderly individuals, which helps them to participate in activities in the local community and at home [1]. They generally tend to avoid dangerous driving situations, such as long-duration driving, high-speed driving, and uncomfortable driving situations such as driving at night or in the rain [9] Using these characteristics of elderly drivers, continuing research is being conducted to develop various self-report assessments and test their correlation with driving risks [10]. In South Korea, a paper-based Self-Report Assessment for Elderly Driving Risk (SAFE-DR) has been developed. Conclusions: In this study, we developed an app-based self-report assessment tool for elderly drivers and tested its reliability and validity. This app can help elderly individuals assess their own driving skills. The app can contribute to safe driving among elderly drivers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
