NeuRA Launches New Research into Aged Driver Safety
Researchers at NeuRA are leading a new project to look at aged driver safety with the announcement of a new study to be led by Senior Research Scientist, A/Prof Julie Brown. With the support of the 2017 Ramaciotti Health Investment Grant, this study will be a world first investigation into the use of comfort accessories and seat modifications by older drivers where up to 25% are being found to use some adaptive comfort accessory.
Older Australians make up just 8% of licensed drivers but account for over 14% of road fatalities. In a recent sample review of 380 drivers aged 75 years and older led by A/Prof Julie Brown, it was found while all drivers wore seatbelts, over 25% also used an adaptive comfort accessory such as seat belt padding, seat base cushions, or back support.
A/Prof Brown highlighted that many of these could negatively impact crash protection and be influencing the disproportional number of older Australians being killed and injured in car crashes.
“Previous research into child safety in cars has shown such accessories have a detrimental effect on protection provided by a restraint in a crash.
“No guidelines exist anywhere in the world, which detail acceptable designs of comfort and orthopaedic aids to be used in a car,” said A/Prof Brown.
There has been no previous research undertaken to find out if these aids are being prescribed from a clinician, and what evidence exists to support the use of adaptive comfort aids in Australia’s aged driver population which is growing in line with ageing population trends globally.
By 2050 there will be more people living on the planet over 65 years of age, than under which further confirms the important need to better understand how to keep aged drivers safe in the future to ensure independent living, mobility, and engagement in community activities.
“This study will examine the impact these aids have on crash protection and use the evidence to generate guidelines,” said A/Prof Brown.
The Aged Driver research program will be undertaken at the Transurban Road Safety Centre housed at NeuRA with results to be released in mid to late 2018.