Over the past two years a testable model of how vision and cognitive problems relate to crash frequency in older drivers has been developed. This model is based on the idea that visual sensory tests alone are most likely insufficient for identifying older drivers who are at risk for vehicle crashes. A more comprehensive approach to predicting crash involvement is to assess a number of different aspects of vision and visual information processing. Two studies performed in our laboratory have led to the development of a model which includes several components: eye health of the driver (e.g. presence of ophthalmic disease; visual sensory function (e.g. acuity, visual field sensitivity, contrast sensitivity); visual attention; and cognitive status (e.g. memory, comprehension). The outcome measure in the model is accident frequency. How this model was developed and how it will be further evaluated is discussed and alternative measures of driving performance, such as performance in a simulator or road test, and how they might be incorporated into the model, is also considered. (A) For the full paper reporting these studies see IRRD nos 850526 and 849748. Only the abstract is included here.
Abstract