This application is intended for use by Law Enforcement Officers.
It is a screening tool to assist in the identification of cognitively impaired drivers encountered during the course of patrol duties. It is to be used as part of an officer’ s investigation of the totality of circumstances to determine when a driver reexamination referral to DMV should be completed.
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Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety University of California San Diego 858‐534‐9330
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TRAINING TOOLS TO IDENTIFY COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACTS
Linda Hill, MD, MPH Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety University of California San Diego
Law enforcement contacts always include unknown factors. Whether it’ s a call of a person behaving oddly, an irate customer at a business, or a roadside contact with a confused driver, officers are required to make quick decisions to avoid danger and quickly find solutions to these problems.
In the example of confused drivers, it is unknown how many motor vehicle crashes involve persons affected by cognitive impairment. We do know that medical conditions, medications, and cognitive impairment have the potential to interfere with the ability to drive safely, and the prevalence of these conditions is higher in older drivers. By 2030, one in five drivers in the U. S. will be over age 65. With the rising age of our population, the risks associated with cognitive impairment in older drivers is a problem that needs to be addressed.
Law enforcement is often lenient with older drivers out of respect, compassion or identification with a parent or grandparent. The impact that one unsafe older driver can have on themselves, other drivers or pedestrians can be devastating. The proper identification of cognitive impairment causing unsafe driving can prevent injury and fatal collisions in our communities.
The Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety( TREDS) program at the University of California San Diego( UCSD) has resources available to assist law enforcement in the identification and management of drivers with cognitive impairment. In collaboration with law enforcement, TREDS developed the Driver Orientation Screen for Cognitive Impairment, or DOSCI, to assist officers in assessing a driver’ s cognitive status and their ability to safely continue driving.
The DOSCI is available as a laminated card, which fits into a ticket book, and as a smartphone application. It allows officers to screen for orientation to person, place, and time by asking nine routine questions such as“ What is your date of birth?” and uses a scale for weighing responses. It also provides resources and contact information to assist in making referrals when impairment is detected. A
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10-minute video that provides instruction on the use of the DOSCI tool can be viewed at http:// bit. ly / dosci.
Additional online training videos that describe the impact medical conditions can have on driving and demonstrate use of the DOSCI during a law enforcement contact can be found at the TREDS website on the page designated for law enforcement, treds. ucsd. edu / law-enforcement. A password can be issued for use within your agency.
In-person training, delivered by law enforcement professionals, is also available as either a 2-hour POST-certified course entitled“ Law Enforcement’ s Role in Older Driver Safety” or a 30-minute abbreviated version suitable for shift change briefings.
While situations involving older drivers may be challenging, properly screening drivers for impairments protects the driver, other roadway users, and our communities from harm. To schedule a training or request free DOSCI cards, contact TREDS at treds @ ucsd. edu or call( 858) 534-9330. ■
BENEFITS OF THE DOSCI
Assists in identifying cognitive impairment in drivers
Provides valuable information to the dmv for reexamination evaluation
Documents impairment at time of traffic stop