Michigan Traffic Safety SummitMarch 13, 2007

Mature Driver WorkshopsTIA/Ford Fund Pilot Program

SMART Proposal

Presented by: Joan Rich, TIA

Director, Mature Driver Programs

Traffic Improvement AssociationOakland County, Michigan

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOPOur students can answer these questions – can you??

1. The risk of any driver being involved in a crash in the next year?a) 1 in 5 b) 1 in 100 c) 1 in 500 d) 1 in 1,000

2. The correct following distance is: a) 1 car length for each 10mph b) 60’ c) 3 – 5 seconds

3. The hand position that gives the most vehicle control:

a) 10:00 & 2:00 b) 9:00 & 3:00 c) 8:00 & 4:00

4. Pumping your brakes is recommended for all braking systems.

True False

5. Your visual field should extend _____seconds ahead of you.

a) 20 b) 30 c) 10

WHO WE ARE: WHO WE ARE: Traffic Improvement AssociationTraffic Improvement Association

STARTED : STARTED : March 20, 1967 - 40 Year HistoryMarch 20, 1967 - 40 Year History

WHERE:WHERE: Oakland County, MichiganOakland County, Michigan

WHAT IT IS: WHAT IT IS: Public-private, non-profit traffic safety organizationPublic-private, non-profit traffic safety organization promoting traffic safety through the 3 E’spromoting traffic safety through the 3 E’s

SHAREHOLDERS: SHAREHOLDERS: 65 communities; County agencies – RCOC, 45 65 communities; County agencies – RCOC, 45 law enforcement agencies,15 district courts, schools; businesses; law enforcement agencies,15 district courts, schools; businesses; citizens; communities in Wayne & Macombcitizens; communities in Wayne & Macomb CountiesCounties

Elderly Mobility:Older driver traffic safety is an important issue since we have a society that is overly

dependent on personal vehicles.

•Auto dependency: The elderly depend on cars for access to services and social events.

•Increase in elderly licensed drivers: This trend will accelerate as the baby boomers age.

•Sign of independence: Driving is an important sign of independence for seniors. Yet, it is also a responsibility.

LOSS OF LICENSE = LOSS OF QUALITY OF LIFELOSS OF LICENSE = LOSS OF QUALITY OF LIFE(An ice cream cone)(An ice cream cone)

REQUIRES SELF EVALUATIONREQUIRES SELF EVALUATION

SENIOR DRIVER ISSUESSENIOR DRIVER ISSUES

GROWING POPULATION - DOUBLE IN 15-20 YEARS

BESIDES 16-20 AGE GROUP, SENIORS HAVE THE HIGHEST TRAFFIC CRASH FATALITY RATE

MEDICAL COMMUNITY ISSUE

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS ISSUE

Michigan Population:

The state trends reflect the national trends. Dramatic increases are coming !

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

10

8

6

4

2

Elderly Non-Elderly

Po

pu

lati

on

(in

mill

ion

s)

Source: Michigan Office of Services to the Aging

All elder citizens will have some diminished capabilities.All elder citizens will have some diminished capabilities.

AGE = ChangeAGE = Change

Sometimes a littleSometimes a little

Sometimes a great dealSometimes a great deal

Recognizing this is critical to driving safely !Recognizing this is critical to driving safely !

……reacts to Mature Driver Issuesreacts to Mature Driver Issues

BEGAN FIRST EDUCATION WORKSHOPS 1988-91

Funded by NHTSA Grant; National recognition as a model; Presented in Oakland County

CURRENT WORKSHOPS FUNDED BY CORPORATE SUPPORT & GRANTSAAA MI, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Comerica Fund, DaimlerChrysler Fund, DTE Energy Foundation, Ford Fund, General Motors Corp, MDOT,

Presented in up to 7 counties in Southeast Michigan each year

State Farm Insurance, University of Alabama BirminghamAND ALSO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES : Police departments, Insurance agents, Businesses

ADDITIONAL TIA INVOLVEMENT WITH ELDERLY MOBILITY:

Helped draft SEMCOG’s “Elderly Mobility & Safety Final Plan of Action”; Members of Senior Mobility committee in Lansing reporting to GTSAC; Chaired 2004 NACEM International Conference; Work with national traffic safety agencies;

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOP

PHILOSOPHY STAY ON ROAD AS LONG AS SAFELY POSSIBLE

PURPOSE SELF-EVALUATION - VOLUNTARY & CONFIDENTIAL

OBJECTIVES DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PHYSCO-PHYSICAL EVALUATIONS ON-ROAD EVALUATION

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOPTwo and one-half day workshopTwo and one-half day workshop

AAA DVD-BASED PROGRAM WITH STUDENT WORKBOOK

“Safe Driving for Mature Drivers”INSTRUCTORS - AAA CERTIFIED

40 hours AAA training for certification

8 hour re-certification every 3 years

Primarily retirees

Many are retired law enforcement officers

DAYS 1 & 2DAYS 1 & 2

Each day is 4 1/2 hours, lunch is provided.

Topics taught include: Risk, Visual Habits, Communicating, Adjusting Speed, Margin of Safety, Emergencies, Your Vehicle, You the Mature Operator

Psycho-Physical Evaluation equipment

Compensation skills are taught for age-related changes.

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOP

Offered at local senior centers, residences, community buildings

Presented April through October

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOPDAY 3DAY 3

USEFUL FIELD of VIEW - UFOVUSEFUL FIELD of VIEW - UFOV

.

. .

ON-ROAD EVALUATIONON-ROAD EVALUATION .

COMING INCOMING IN 2007…… 2007……

CARFITCARFIT . .

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOP USEFUL FIELD of VIEW - UFOVUSEFUL FIELD of VIEW - UFOV

Over 18 years of field experience

Cognition deficiency = Higher risk of crash involvement

Rehabilitation component successful

Cognition evaluation

Computer generated, touch screen

..

Welcome to UFOV® Test 1

This exercise will measure how fast you can identify a single

object.

Touch continue for a demonstration

UFOV – Useful Field of ViewUFOV – Useful Field of View

Welcome to UFOV® Test 2This exercise will measure how fast you can divide your attention

between two objects.

Touch continue for a demonstration

Welcome to UFOV® Test 3

This exercise will measure how fast you can divide your attention

between two objects when the outside object is surrounded by

clutter.

Touch continue for a

demonstration

Sub-Test 3: Selective Attention

ON-ROAD EVALUATIONON-ROAD EVALUATION

INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION OF STUDENTS

• “ Most important part of the workshop….”

• Students are conscientious and seek honest critique

• Mirror on dash - watch eye movement, can address cognition

• Most helpful driving skills: mirror alignment, hand position on steering wheel, headlights on during day – easier to be seen

STUDENT VIEW OF ROAD EVALUATION

• If student ability is uncertain, discretion is used

• Structured, predetermined route in familiar area

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOP.

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOP

STRENGTHS

COST - $20, often lowered to $5 - $10 through support of local agencies or businesses

ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM FOR:Courts, Law enforcement, Family members, Medical community

PROVIDES STUDENTS INFORMATION FOR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONSRehabilitation - Physical, UFOV, etc.; Transportation, Area Agency on Aging

COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH: Physco-Physical evals +UFOV + On-road evaluation

VOLUNTARY (non-government intrusion)

SELF-REGULATION

INSTRUCTORS – Committed, Dedicated, Certified, Encourage student participation, Genuinely caring

CONFIDENTIALITY

Mature Driver Workshop Manual

Developed under MDOT grant in 2006

Designed as a tool to expand workshops for seniors into a statewide program

Would help communities outside TIA’s area to present workshops tailored to their specific needs

Available by request, plan to add to website in near future

FORD FUND/TIA PILOT PROGRAM

TIA was approached by Ford Fund to submit a proposal to enhance Ford’s teenage Driving Skills for Life program by addressing the issue of safe driving for seniors through nation-wide pilot programs. Proposal was accepted in January.

Overall Goal of Pilot Program

Increase the number of older drivers that self-evaluate and improve their driving strategies throughout the USA by participating in the TIA Mature Driver Workshop at local hospital rehabilitation centers.

Phase 1 Objectives - 2007

Begin with a Michigan pilot programPresent a minimum of 8 workshops thru hospitalsIncrease number of AAA certified instructors by 8

Provide hospital rehab units with improved technology/equipment to help seniorsCreate a link between the senior driver and rehab opportunities at hospitalsAdvertise and promote concept at the NORA Conference in March 2007 in Charleston, SCProvide Ford with an opportunity to connect with elder drivers by marketing new technologies, etc.

Phase 1 Partnering Hospitals

Currently negotiating with:

Beaumont – Royal Oak/Troy – Oakland County

St. Joseph’s – Ann Arbor – Washtenaw County

Mary Free Bed – Grand Rapids – Kent County

University of Michigan – Canton/Ann Arbor –

Wayne & Washtenaw Counties

Hospital Requirements

Administration commitment for Rehabilitation and Community Service Units:

• Provide two (2) employees/volunteers to become trained AAA Certified Instructors

• Provide a minimum of two (2) workshops in 2007 at their facility• Promote workshops throughout the hospital community• Provide student and instructor evaluations of the workshops

Provisions for Hospitals

Training and materials for personnel to become certified instructors with support from AAA Michigan

Provide workshop how-to manual, support in the marketing of workshops, student workbooks

Provide a new UFOV evaluator at NO COST

Provide financial assistance towards new equipment for client evaluation, such as a driving simulator

2008 – Phase II

Expand TIA Mature Driver Workshops to pilot areas nationally with other

hospitals if evaluation of Phase I warrants such action.

SMART Proposal

Develop and implement 3 pilot projects in Oakland county to expand alternative transportation opportunities for seniors utilizing volunteers

SMART accepted proposal and is able to contribute partial funding towards pilots TIA is actively seeking additional funding

The overall objective is to utilize volunteers to enhance existing transportation with evening and weekend services, and assist with transportation services for extended medical procedures

For More Information About TIA WorkshopsFor More Information About TIA Workshops

Contact:Contact: Joan RichJoan RichTraffic Improvement AssociationTraffic Improvement Association2187 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 1402187 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 140Sylvan Lake, MI 48320Sylvan Lake, MI 48320248-334-4971248-334-4971joanr@tiami.orgjoanr@tiami.org

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

MATURE DRIVER WORKSHOPOh, yes, the answers to the questions!

1. The risk of any driver being involved in a crash in the next year?a) 1 in 5

2. The correct following distance is: c) 3 – 5 seconds

3. The hand position that gives the most vehicle control:

c) 8:00 & 4:00

4. Pumping your brakes is recommended for all braking systems.

False

5. Your visual field should extend _____seconds ahead of you.

b) 30