Abstract
【Introduction】Driving cessation was reported to be associated with a significant decrease in quality of life （QOL） and greater risks of declines in cognitive function. Therefore, it is desirable for re-training driving skills of elderly drivers to extend their driving years. Nevertheless, it is physically impossible to conduct a detailed ability evaluation which is affected by diverse abilities and social backgrounds for all drivers.【Purpose】To propose a method that enables multifaceted screening for driving ability of elderly drivers （identification of subjects for detailed examination）.【Subjects】 Elderly drivers aged 65 years or older who voluntarily participated in the Senior Driver Support Project of Fujikawaguchiko Town.【Methods】Multiple simple tests （surveys） including visual search and processing ability tests using the Trail Making Test （TMT）, surveys of personal attributes （age, years of schooling, etc.） using a questionnaire, and risk avoidance tests using a simple driving simulator （DS） were conducted, then the relationships between the results of these tests （surveys） were analyzed. 【Results】①age, ②years of schooling, ③time required to complete TMT-A and ④TMT-B were found to be slightly correlated with risk avoidance ability. The boundary values at which the greatest significant difference in risk avoidance ability （DS scores） occurred were set as the evaluation criterion. Therefore, a driving ability screening method based on four evaluation criteria （age: 81 or older, years of schooling: less than 12 years, time required to complete TMT-A: longer than 60 seconds, time required to complete TMT-B: longer than 150 seconds） was proposed.【Conclusion】If two or more of the above criteria are met, additional tests, such as a driving skill test in a real car and medical diagnosis, are recommended.
