Visual attention as a predictor of on-road driving performance of older drivers.

Author(s)
Baldock, M.R.J. Mathias, J. L. McLean, J. & Berndt, A.
Year
Abstract

With increasing numbers of older drivers on Australian roads, it is important to determine the functional abilities most closely related to driving ability among older adults. To this end, 90 drivers aged from 60 to 91 completed a battery of psychological, visual, physical and cognitive tests, and a standardised on-road driving test. A computerised test of visual attention, devised specifically for the study, was the best predictor of on-road driving performance. Other abilities that made independent contributions to the prediction of driving performance were contrast sensitivity and visuospatial memory. These functional abilities provided a better prediction of driving performance than chronological age, reinforcing the argument that drivers should only have their driving tested when their functional abilities decline, rather than when they reach a particular age. (Author/publisher)

Publication

Library number
20100203 ST [electronic version only]
Source

Australian Journal of Psychology, Vol. 59 (2007), No. 3, p. 159-168, ref.

Publication (link)

Our collection

This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.