We want to thank you for volunteering to be part of our important driving study. Your involvement will help to provide the science-based data needed to help influence driving policies and change driving practice that will help save lives.

These pages are designed to keep you informed of the study progress and provide other information we think might be of interest. We also would like to hear from you; your views, concerns, and experiences as a participant.

Please email our Program Manager, Lynn MacLeay at lmacleay@ohri.ca

 STUDY UPDATE as of July 2010.

Recruitment almost complete

As of early July total recruitment stands at 91% with all but the Thunder Bay site on target. Thunder Bay is hoping to meet their goal before recruitment closes later this summer and second year assessments begin. 

Sites report that most participants have been recruited as a result of the media coverage Candrive has had over the past few months, with minimal recruitment from other means such as presentations made to senior groups, newsletters (Federal Superannuates National Association, Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario) and mail-outs, flyers and other sources.

Many sites have already begun their second year assessments.

Investigators Meet in Ottawa

The first annual Candrive Common Cohort International Collaboration Planning Meeting took place late June in Ottawa. Hosted by co-principal investigators, Dr. Shawn Marshall and Dr. Malcolm Man-Son-Hing, and Program Manager Lynn Macleay, site investigators and guests from across North America and Australia attended the two-day meeting.

Canadian study sites shared their recruitment successes and challenges and other first year experiences (see Site News below). Going into year two, the group discussed proposed changes to the study in terms of testing and the GPS units.

All data (e.g. assessments, 4 and 8 month follow-ups and collision reports), is being transferred to a Centre in Ottawa where it is being collected for analyses. (See preliminary data below)

Many of the Candrive sub-studies/projects are under way and updates were provided by the investigators responsible. (See Candrive Sub-studies/Projects below)

Other presentations at the meeting included how to keep you, our participants, well informed and interested in the study, and the development of a ‘tool’ to collect study information (Knowledge Translation).

Site News

Some Canadian sites are preparing their own newsletters to send out to participants. Hamilton got the ball rolling by designing and preparing the first newsletter, thanks to site investigator Brenda Vrkljan, RA Sheila Garrett and the rest of the Hamilton team. Based on the same idea, Ottawa has also finalised and distributed their first newsletter.

Click here to read site newsletters : Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa , Victoria

All sites report some hiccups with the installation and malfunction of some of the GPS devices, with some sites having had to brave the elements when installing them! Those with outside installation facilities have been thankful for a mild winter this year while other sites were grateful to have indoor installation facilities.

         Phyllis McGee installs an in-car recording device in Victoria, BC.

All sites report participants are very enthusiastic and proud to be part of such an important study, and Candrive is developing different ways to keep participants informed and interested.

Over the past few months Toronto participants have been featured in the media:                                               

• Elderly Drivers under New Scrutiny
• Most Older Motorists Drive Safely
• When Should Doctors Take the Keys from Older Drivers?
• Driving After 70 – staying safe on the roads.

Preliminary Data

While still very early in the study, we do have some very preliminary demographic numbers to share with you.

 We will continue to share results with you as it is analyzed.

Candrive Sub-Studies/Projects

Examining Driving Patterns of Older Canadians

Leader: Michelle Porter (Winnipeg)

The goal of this project is to look at driving patterns in a large sample of older drivers from different locations across Canada using Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking. Factors such as obeying traffic signs and the effect of climate conditions on driving are examples of elements that will be studied. Update

Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Driver Decision-making and Behaviour

Co-leaders: Holly Tuokko and Anita Myers (Victoria, Waterloo)

The goal of this project is to examine the influence and interaction of factors such as the self-perception of driving abilities; confidence, beliefs, attitudes and motivations on driving-related decisions including intentions to restrict or stop driving.

Advancements in Automotive Design.

Co-leaders: Janice Millar-Polgar, Brenda Vrkljan (London, Hamilton)

The goal is to determine key features of the automobile that impact older driver safety and to develop a vehicle design rating system that identifies vehicle features which meet the needs of older drivers. Update

Assessing the relevance of the simulator as a screening tool for at-risk older drivers.

Co-leaders: Michel Bédard, Sylvain Gagnon (Thunder Bay, Ottawa)

The main goal of this project is to further validate the use of driving simulator assessments.

Driver Improvement

Leader: Nicol Korner-Bitensky (Montreal)

The objectives are: 1) To explore the perspectives of older drivers regarding driving safety and training programs; and 2) To implement the StaySHARP Pilot driver refresher program. Update

New initiatives:

•     Structured driving assessment – Jim Langford, (Melbourne, Australia)
•     Attention Network Test - Michel Bédard (Thunder Bay)
•     Driving cessation project - Michel Bédard (Thunder Bay)
•     Dementia and Driving Initiative in Ontario –Mark Rapoport (Toronto)
•     MCI and Mild Dementia Driving Study Challenges - Gary Naglie (Toronto) 

OzCandrive

The Melbourne site for the study is now up and running - about a year behind Canada. The office is staffed and recruitment has started. For more news from Australia see the latest Candrive newsletter and follow the ‘Ozcandrive’ link.  

Tell us what you think! Write to us here.

Check with us here frequently for updates.