Education for older drivers in the future

Highlights

• Older drivers education from the hierarchical perspective

• The importance of social environment and skills in older drivers driving and education

• Learning on the higher levels of driving hierarchy is not receiving information but understanding it.

• Role of older drivers in education is a partner in interaction not an object.

• Older drivers testing is not the solution for older drivers safety in traffic.

Abstract

IATSS Research Vol. 38, no. 1 2014: “Designing Mobility for the Coming Age”

Esko Keskinen, University of Turku, Finland

Education for older drivers in the future

Five presumptions have to be considered when addressing future education for older drivers: 1. Driving a car will continue to be one element of mobility in the future; 2. Older people want to be able to keep driving; 3. Safety will be an even more important factor in mobility in the future; 4. Ecological values will be more important in the future; and 5. Innovative technological applications will be more important in the future. Hierarchical models of driving are suitable in increasing understanding of older drivers' needs and abilities. The highest levels of the driving hierarchy in the Goals for Driver Education (GDE) model are especially important for the safety of both young and elderly drivers. In these highest levels goals for life, skills for living, and social environment affect everyday decision making in general but also driving, which has an impact on driver safety. Giving up driving is very much a social decision and should be taken as such. However, the highest levels of the driving hierarchy are by nature inaccessible to teacher-centered instruction These levels require more coaching-like education methods where the learner takes the central role and the teacher helps the drivers understand their own abilities and limitations in traffic. Testing and selecting older drivers to enhance safety is not, according to research findings, working in a proper way. Older drivers do not so much need more information concerning traffic rules, etc., but rather better understanding of themselves, their health restrictions, their skills, and their abilities to ensure daily mobility. Their closest companions also need tools to help them in discussions of traffic safety issues affecting older drivers.