Can strategic and tactical compensation reduce crash risk in older drivers?

Objective: to determine whether the use of strategic and tactical compensation can successfully improve safety in older drivers. Methods: 84 healthy subjects aged between 65 and 96 were referred for a fitness-to-drive evaluation. Using ANOVA and contrast analysis, we tested the hypothesis that bad drivers who have had no car accidents use more active compensation strategies than bad drivers who have caused accidents in the previous 12 months. We classified drivers as bad, average or good, based on a structured road test. Results: drivers who select driving tasks below their capacities and compensate by adapting their driving style cause fewer accidents than those who do not apply these strategies. Conclusions: fitness-to-drive screening procedures need a broader perspective to prevent an over-emphasis on procedures which focus more on deficit than on capacities.