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Research

For novice drivers, Drive Focus significantly reduced visual search errors and overall driving errors. Read the full article below.

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Drive Focus Research

More research on Drive Focus is underway. If you don't see the topic you are looking for, check back.

Interested in studying Drive Focus with a population? Please contact us for support in getting set up. Also make sure to learn about Drive Focus Analytics that will enable you to export Drive Focus data in a .csv file.

Driver training application for individuals with Autism. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits

Monahan, M., Brooks, J., Seeanner, J., Jenkins, C., & Monahan, J. (2020).
Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits, 14 (Spring 2020), 77-93.

Compared to their peers without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), individuals with ASD are more likely to be underemployed and engage in fewer academic and social pursuits. A barrier may be the lack of independence in driving. A usability evaluation of a driver training application, Drive Focus, was conducted.

Clinical utility of the Drive Focus™ intervention on young drivers with and without experience

Alvarez, L., Classen, S., & Medhizadah, S. (2019). Frontiers in Public Health, 7. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00123

The Drive Focus™ intervention addresses the ability of young drivers to detect and respond to critical roadway information. Drive Focus is an interactive video-based tablet application that teaches users how to detect and prioritize critical roadway items. However, young drivers with and without experience may respond differently to the intervention.

Pilot Efficacy of a Drive Focus™ Intervention on the Driving Performance of Young Drivers.

Alvarez, L., Classen, S., Medhizadah, S., Knott, M., & He, W. (2018). Frontiers in Public Health, 6. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00125

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 15 and 29 around the world. A need remains for evidence-based interventions that can improve the underlying skills of young drivers, including hazard perception and anticipation.

Feasibility of Drive Focus™ and Driving simulation interventions in young drivers.

Alvarez, L., Classen, S., Medhizadah, S., Knott, M., Asantey, K., He, W. Moulin, M. S. (2018). OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 38(4), 245–253. doi: 10.1177/1539449218787495

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death among North American youth, with a high prevalence of distraction-related fatalities. Youth-focused interventions must address detecting (visual scanning) and responding (adjustment to stimuli) to critical roadway information.

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iPad, M1 Mac & Vision Pro

Android & Chromebook

Windows 11

Amazon Android & Fire Tablets

Frequently Asked Questions

What devices can I use Drive Focus on?

Drive Focus is compatible with these devices.

Apple devices: iPads, MacBooks with M1 chips, and Apple Vision Pro
Android devices: Android tablets and Chromebooks
Amazon devices: Amazon Fire Tablets

If you want to know if a particular device is compatible before you purchase that device, you can always contact us for assistance.

I am learning to drive, would Drive Focus be helpful?

Yes! But use Drive Focus for at least 6 hours to get the most benefit. Of course, not all on the same day.

Everything you do as a driver starts by being attentive to important information on the road. Drive Focus makes this foundational driving skill a game experience.

Independent research with new drivers found that using Drive Focus for 6 hours (in one-hour sessions) significantly reduced driving errors when tested on a driving simulator.

Can Drive Focus be used in a classroom?

Yes, Drive Focus makes drivers education interactive and engaging while developing students’ awareness of the road. Instead of just scanning the roadway they learn what specifically to look for while driving. Drive Focus uses a gaming approach for better engagement and student participation.

Learn more about how to use Drive Focus in the classroom here.

Why do rehabilitation professionals recommend Drive Focus?

Many neurological conditions may require specialized support to maintain driving abilities, to return to driving, or learn to drive.

Drive Focus is a low-cost tool that can help. It is most beneficial when used as part of a speech therapy, occupational therapy, or driver rehabilitation program.

Created by an occupational therapist, the Drive Focus app allows users to interact with videos taken from a driver’s point of view. Drive Focus can be used in a therapy program to develop executive function and processing speed for driving. Learn more about how rehabilitation professionals use Drive Focus here.

What Our Users Say

I tell all my beginner drivers about drive focus. It is especially helpful for students are missing important things or hazards.  My students have told me: I think it’s great!. It’s smooth & simple. It was helpful for learning to drive! It wasn’t glitchy or buggy, where I clicked actually works.

Maryfrances Gross

University of Kentucky 

As a clinician in a neuro clinic, I use Drive Focus with many of my patients. It's a terrific home program with objective feedback on speed of processing and visual attention. Patients love that it looks like driving and enjoy trying to improve their scores.

Beth Rolland

Upstate University Hospital of Syracuse

Drive Focus has been well received by Australian Occupational Therapists at two national conferences and during many workshops, with excitement about the opportunities for our clients and their driving. My clients find it easy and fun to use. It was a privilege to support Drive Focus with recording the Melbourne videos.

Megan Coulter

Occupational Therapist

Drive Focus has taken Australia by storm! Driving Well OT in Brisbane collaborated with Miriam to bring Drive Focus to Australia, winning the Australian Road Safety Foundation award in 2021. It’s worldwide OT conference premier was in Melbourne (“Mel-bin”!) in June 2022, with OTs being excited and impressed by the impact Drive Focus can have on clients with executive functioning disorders who want to learn or return to driving. Affordable, accessible, brain-training for driving!

Jenny Gribbin

Occupational Therapist

I recommend Drive Focus to patients who have had strokes, brain injuries, cognitive or visual processing limitations and students with special needs exploring if they are ready to drive. Drive Focus is motivating because it looks like driving. After using Drive Focus my clients are much more relaxed and prepared for driving.

Heather Shields

Owner Pathways Rehabilitation Services, LLC

Drive Focus is the best first step available to assist people who need help learning to drive and lack access to professional assistance.

Bryson

USA

My daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, used Drive Focus to help prepare for behind the wheel driving lessons. Her ability to recognize and prioritize signals, traffic, and potential hazards increased dramatically. She enjoyed the app and gained a lot of self-confidence.

Kim

USA

I love using Drive Focus with my clients recovering from strokes to work on scanning and processing activities in preparation for driving. I also use Drive Focus with inexperienced drivers to get ready to learn to drive. The app is easy to use, very affordable, and the visuals are great!

Susie Touchinsky

Adaptive Mobility Services, LLC

I highly recommend Drive Focus to help prepare a student to get behind the wheel of a car. I went from not knowing where to look while driving to being able to recognize the most important things for a driver to notice. It doesn't get boring because of the different cities that you drive through as you improve.