This study investigated a laboratory-based driving simulator and identified assessment criteria for its use as an off-road screening tool for older adult drivers. The driving performance of 53 volunteer older adults was assessed by the driving simulator and gauged by age-specific assessment criteria. The assessment criteria used in this study were cognitive functions required in making decisions based on past driving experience and ever-changing driving conditions. The Cronbach alpha confirmed internal consistency of the scales that comprised the measures of driving performance. Pearson coefficient showed some assessment criteria were significantly correlated with age of participants (- 0.59 < r < 0.49). The multivariate analysis of variance revealed that there was an overall score difference in driving performance between two age groupings: senior drivers and advanced age senior drivers. The younger the age of the participants, the better they performed in driving as defined by the assessment criteria. The findings of this study do not deviate from the literature supporting the evidence that driving ability declines with age. It was established that if appropriate assessment criteria are chosen, driving simulators can differentiate between levels of older adults' driving skills. (Author/publisher)
Abstract