Safely Mobile Together - Driving Centre

Do you have doubts about your own driving safety or that of your partner, parent or grandparent? At Maria Middelares' Centre Samen Veilig Mobiel (SVM), a specially trained team is on hand to evaluate medical fitness and skills on the road, offer advice and discuss driving safety (early).

When is it important to evaluate driving safety?

Staying mobile is important for quality of life. Our goal is therefore to keep elderly people mobile for as long as possible.

Older people are not bad drivers, but age-related changes can have a significant impact on driving behaviour. In addition, older drivers also have an increased risk of certain conditions, such as vision and memory problems.

It is best to have your driving fitness evaluated

after an event or observation that causes concern
after a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or another neurological condition that could potentially affect driving safety
after a diagnosis of juvenile dementia
if, as an elderly road user yourself, you have doubts about your driving safety
if, as a close relative or family member of an elderly road user, you doubt the elderly road user's driving safety

We know from experience that impaired driving also leads to further loss of driving skills. Thus, 'driving around the church' is worrying rather than reassuring.

The deterioration that comes with age varies from person to person and is thus not age-specific. Therefore, there are no arguments for evaluating older people's driving safety based on the 'age' criterion alone.

The risk of a major accident increases with age. A driver can call on the SVM centre at the request of the family, after referral from a doctor or insurance company or on his or her own initiative.

Unlike the elderly, persons with juvenile dementia often still cover a lot of kilometres and have a fairly large current driving record at the time of diagnosis. In this case, a driving stop has a major negative impact on quality of life.

With a diagnosis of young dementia, the SVM Centre will act more dynamically with usually several contacts in the further counselling until eventually an unavoidable driving stop follows (advance planning driving retirement). This way, safe driving can often be maintained for a considerable period of time.

From the SVM centre, no vehicle adaptation advice is given, for example after stroke (CVA) with half-sided paralysis, amputation ... For this, we would like to refer you to CARA.

Also complete our checklist 'non-fluffy driving'. This questionnaire can help you recognise the signs that indicate impaired driving safety.

How does the assessment proceed?

If you want to have your driving ability tested, you will come to our hospital a total of three times. You may be accompanied by your partner, child or carer each time.

1. Introduction interview

In an initial introductory interview, the geriatrician or neurologist will try to form a picture of your driving experience. Your medical records, vision functions and psychological driving fitness will also be assessed. It is important that you bring all relevant data such as medical history and current medication list to this interview.

2. Evaluation skills and ride on the road

During the second contact moment, your functional and cognitive skills, as well as your knowledge of traffic situations, will be evaluated by an occupational therapist.

Afterwards, you will be invited for a prearranged drive on the road, led by a recognised driving instructor. The driving instructor will pay attention to your speed and fluency, vehicle control, turning and viewing technique, right-of-way situations and manoeuvres, position on the road, reaction to traffic lights, etc. This road trip should preferably be done in your own car and in the presence of a carer.
The driving instructor makes a comprehensive report to the doctor that highlights several aspects of the drive.

The road trip is not an 'exam' but an evaluation that distinguishes between bottlenecks and major problems.

3. Final interview/advice

Finally, in a final interview , the geriatrician or neurologist will discuss the decision on your fitness to drive with you, as well as provide advice based on the evaluation.

If you are found fit to continue using the car, any additional training or refresher courses may play an important role.
In case of a negative opinion, we will be happy to help look for alternative solutions to preserve your mobility as much as possible.

What does it cost?

The cost for the patient going through the whole process is about €130.

Our team

The specially trained team of Centrum Samen Veilig Mobiel in AZ Maria Middelares consists of doctors (geriatrics or neurology), nurses, occupational therapists, a certified driving instructor and a coordinator.