Maryland Builds Better Safe Driver Mousetrap

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Maryland’s approach assesses different abilities that lead to safe driving – physical, visual and cognitive. A recent NHTSA study of older driver screening programs concluded that testing brain performance was the most predictive in understanding crash risk. The technology in that assessment is deliverable remotely and can be self-administered, making the cost of a broadly available screening program acceptable. You can try a simpler version online of the Crash Risk Evaluator at www.drivesharpnow.com
Sodestrom mentions Maryland’s objective – helping drivers stay on the roads safely – but the article does not talk about another way to accomplish this. The medical and science literature is clear that brain performance, and therefore driving, can be improved at any age with the right mental exercises just like physical fitness for the body.
I am the CEO of Posit Science, the leader in clinically-proven brain fitness software, and we created DriveSharp, a training program recommended by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Based on the same technology as the assessment mentioned in the article, it can reduce crash risk by 50% on average.

Steven Aldrich of CA 12:03PM August 12, 2009

is a political non-starter---except where INSURANCE COMPANIES are successful in lobbying for federal or state money to test Grandma and Grandpa.
You've got liquor sold at most of the USA gas stations. You've got texting teens (and adults) driving with one or no hands. You've got pets riding around with drivers in the car control area. And you've got broke states with little extra money to waste at the Motor Vehicle Departments.
Great idea, all this test development? No. Put your money and sense where the problems are.

Muser of NM 10:52AM August 12, 2009