The Value of off-Road Tests in the Assessment of Driving Potential of Unlicensed Disabled People

Abstract

A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of off-road tests in assessing the driving potential of 151 unlicensed disabled people. Assessment was carried out by an occupational therapist and consisted of several off-road tests (vision, reaction timing, computerized preview tracking task and general medical/psychological appraisal) and an on-road test. The mean age of this group was 22.9 years (15–76 years) and the group comprised 84 females and 67 males. Diagnoses covered a wide range but 67% of the group had some form of brain damage. Assessment recommendations were: 57% pass, 37% fail and 5% not assessed. Of the 57 fail recommendations, 7 were unable to meet the legal acuity requirements, 20 had unacceptable reaction times and/or tracking scores, 25 were failed on a combination of marginal and/or subjective off-road criteria and 5 were failed on-road. Quantitative off-road tests have been successful at helping to determine driving potential by means which are objective, systematic and safe.