DriveSafe

Chief Investigator
Neryla Jolly, AVS, The University of Sydney

Co-Investigators
Lynn Kay, OLS, The University of Sydney (PhD Student)
Susan Silvera, AVS, The University of Sydney

Supported by
Professor Anita Bundy, OLS, The University of Sydney (PhD Supervisor)
Dr Lindy Clemson, OLS, The University of Sydney (PhD Supervisor)
Nathan Clunas, AVS, The University of Sydney
Driving Rehabilitation & Fleet Safety Services, The University of Sydney


In conjunction with Driving Rehabilitation & Fleet Safety Services, a clinical unit within the Occupation and Leisure Sciencesm (OLS), a research group is investigating factors that contribute to safe driving for people with disabilities and for healthy older drivers. The group consists of occupational therapists, orthoptists and driving instructors.

One project aims to determine if it is possible to predict who will be an unsafe driver using a clinical test, DriveSafe developed by the university over 12 years ago. The test is a visual and cognitive test using images of a roundabout. Initial results indicate that the test together with a measure of insight accurately predicts those drivers who will be unsafe (97.5% of cases). Further research is underway investigating methods of assessing clients’ insight to determine if any method is reliable and accurate.

Another project, in collaboration with Applied Vision Science (AVS) is examining the importance of vision for safe driving. The researchers aim to identify if the standards currently used by the licensing authority (Roads and Traffic Authority) reflect a functional level of vision below which safe driving is impossible.

This research is being conducted with the assistance of Driver Rehab (see www.driverrehab.com.au) and other driving rehabilitation centres in the Sydney metropolitan area.