Rapid Deceleration and Crash Events in an RCT Evaluating a Safe Transport Program for Older Drivers

EXTENDED ABSTRACT: The aim of this project was to determine if education can enhance self-regulation of driving and promote safety of older drivers. As crashes are rare events, rapid deceleration events were used as surrogate safety events and self-reported crashes as a secondary outcome. The randomised controlled trial (RCT) found that an individual education program (‘Behind the Wheel’) only reduced rapid deceleration events in the drivers with better visual and cognitive functioning and did not have an effect in older drivers with poorer function. It is possible that drivers with better function were better able to implement strategies to promote their safety.