The concept of driving rehabilitation and its challenges were investigated at the first South African Driving Colloquium hosted by Stellenbosch University's (SU) USeBenzA Assessment Centre earlier this year. Researchers, occupational therapy clinicians, public health officials and policy makers shared knowledge on driving rehabilitation within the South African context.

Presenters focused on developments which could lead to new possibilities and collaborations in support of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2010 – 2020 that was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in March 2010.

"Information on best practices and best evidence was appraised within the legislative and cultural backdrop of South Africa," said Prof Lana van Niekerk, Head of the Division of Occupational Therapy at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of SU.

The colloquium was presented as part of a research project funded by the Canada Africa Research Exchange Grant (CAREG 2014 to 2016). Prof Sherrilene Classen, the Director of the School of Occupational Therapy of the Western University in Canada and an extraordinary professor at SU, is the principal investigator with Van Niekerk as co-investigator of the study.

Photo: Prof Lana van Niekerk, far right on the photo, with guests at the first South African Driving Colloquium hosted by Stellenbosch University's USeBenzA Assessment Centre earlier this year