Crystal Girgenti of Associated Neurologists, PC, points to the
lifelike simulations of traffic during a demon-stration of new
state-of-the-art equipment that can help families determine if
their loved ones are capable of remaining behind the wheel.
You have that sinking feeling again, watching your elderly or
physically impaired loved one get behind the wheel and lurch out
of the driveway. Again, you can't help wondering whether he or
she will return a few minutes or hours later intact, or will you
finally get that dreaded phone call that someone has been in a
car crash.
Unfortunately, despite your ever-increasing insistence, your
independent-minded relation just won't surrender his or her keys
for good. Until now, perhaps that accident waiting to happen was
your best shot at convincing someone he or she simply cannot
operate a vehicle any longer...but will the loved one - or worse,
someone else - be seriously injured or killed in the process?
According to Dr John Murphy and Dr Stephen Peters of Associated
Neurologists, PC, this scenario is all too common. And if it
isn't an elderly or impaired loved one who needs proof he or she
shouldn't be driving, or driving in certain conditions, perhaps
it is an employee, or a first-time adult or teenage driver.
But now, all those nail-biters have an ally in the team at
Associated Neurologists, PC. Drs Murphy and Peters recently
demonstrated one of their new state-of-the-art driving simulators
at their Danbury office. In addition, driving assessment services
are now being performed in their Waterbury office as well, in an
effort to provide this important service to more communities.
"Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injury and
deaths among 65- to 74-year-olds, and the second leading cause
among 75- to 84-year-olds," Dr Murphy said prior to the
demonstration.
"But," Dr Peters added, "the crash rate for older drivers is
primarily related to the most common physical and mental changes
associated with aging."
To ensure their patients and clients receive the most accurate
computerized analysis of their driving skills, both of these
highly sophisticated simulators are equipped with the most
up-to-date software available in the industry, and are
administered by trained specialists at each location, including
Bridget Neumann and Crystal Girgenti at the Danbury location.
Associated Neurologists, PC, offers patients advanced diagnostic
and treatment services for all neurological conditions, including
evaluations of individual's driving skills. The providers are
available for consultations and second opinions as well as
ongoing management of patients with chronic neurological and
rehabilitative needs.
"We treat adults, adolescents, children, and infants," Dr Murphy
told Health Monitor during the recent visit to view the
demonstration. "Our driving assessment services include an
office-based assessment of medical fitness to drive. Then we ask
the patient to practice for as long as they need to on our fully
interactive driving simulator. Once they feel comfortable with
the technology and feel of the unit, we activate the program and
have them drive through a virtual road test to measure the
driver's physical, visual, cognitive, or mental impairments,
anything that may adversely affect driving abilities."
While their offices are retained by several private companies
whose employees are required to drive, the Associated
Neurologists' drivers evaluations are readily accepted by the
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles medical board, whose
members determine if an individual's license to drive will be
revoked.
"This is important, because one patient we know of who just
turned 90, passed the DMV renewal test and got a license for six
more years," Dr Peters said, shaking his head in amazement.
During the demonstration, Ms Girgenti pointed out the many
features of the simulator including:
*Highly realistic software that incorporates various weather and
traffic conditions, daytime and nighttime driving, and
performance in real-life situations.
*Standardized evaluation procedures as outlined by the American
Medical Association.
*Fully interactive driving "cockpit" with an ergonomic design
that creates the feel of an actual vehicle.
*Advanced tracking capabilities designed to evaluate critical
cognitive and physical skills.
Ms Neuman said the simulator's brake pedal alone was obtained at
a cost exceeding $5,000 because it creates an identical braking
experience as if someone were actually driving a Ford model
vehicle.
"The simulation experiences were written into the software based
on national health and traffic statistics replicating the most
likely accident scenarios," she added. "And we offer the
simulation in Spanish and French; more dialects may be added as
demand indicates."
"Driving assessment services are vital to ensuring not only the
safety of the driver, but also of the public," Dr Peters
explained. "As the number of older drivers rises, individuals and
their families increasingly turn to medical professionals for
guidance on safe driving."
Dr Murphy reminded those gathered for the demo that in their
office alone, since Associated Neurologists brought in its first
simulator, 93 percent of those still driving, who are rated
"impaired" by the simulator, believe they are above average
drivers.
A typical assessment will include evaluation of motor skills
involved with accelerating, braking and reaction time, visual
acuity and the evaluation of the client's field of vision. The
test simulates various scenarios depending on where the driver
operates, and can be dialed to suit country, suburban, or city
conditions, various weather and traffic conditions.
It simulates intersections, construction zones, typical traffic
hazards, yielding ability, turning left at intersections and
four-way stops, accuracy of reading traffic signs, night driving,
fog, snow and various intensities of rain.
The beneficial and potentially life-saving service is
administered by Associated Neurologists' highly trained
specialists, and is available to the public daily. To schedule a
driving assessment in Danbury or Waterbury, call 748-2551,
extension 368. Visit Associated Neurologists, PC, online at
www.associatedneurologists.com.