The goal of this study was to identify the influence of peripheral visual field loss (VFL) on driving performance in a motion-based driving simulator. Sixteen drivers (6 with VFL and 10 with normal visual fields) completed a 14 km simulated drive. The simulated scenarios included changes in road geometry, merging, lead vehicle braking and incursion events; outcome measures were head movements, lane position, accelerator release time, collisions, and subjective assessment of driving patterns. There were significant differences between groups in some driving performance measures. Those with VFL demonstrated more variability in lane maintenance on curves and when departing the freeway, as well as delayed accelerator release and reduced time to simulated collision during an unexpected hazard event. VFL participants did not exhibit expected compensatory behaviours such as greater variability in head movements. The results suggest some differences in driving performance and driving patterns between the groups. (Author/publisher)
Abstract