This study investigates possible age-related differences in the detection of impending collisions. In the study, observers viewed displays simulating a three-dimensional environment with obstacles in the path of motion. Observer motion decelerated at a constant rate during the trial and was followed by a blackout prior to the end of the display. In some trials, the rate of deceleration resulted in stopping before the collision, and in other trials the rate of deceleration resulted in a collision with the obstacles. The observer's task was to detect which trials simulated an impending collision. The proportion of collisions judgments was greater for older observers compared with younger observers when a collision was not simulated. Older observers showed less sensitivity in detecting collisions than younger observers, particularly at high speeds. The age-dependent results are discussed in terms of analyses based on tau and constant deceleration. The findings indicate that an inability to detect collisions at high speeds may cause increased accident rates for older drivers.
Abstract