This paper reports on the usefulness of five brief tests of cognitive function for identifying older drivers who are at increased risk of crash involvement. Data for the study were collected from 3200 drivers aged 65 and above applying for renewal of their North Carolina (USA) driver's license. The specific cognitive assessments examined include: (1) the Trail Making Test Parts A and B; (2) the Short Blessed test of cognitive impairment; (3) a modification of the Americans Association of Retired Persons (AARP) "Reaction Time" test; and (4) a timed traffic sign recognition test. Information on crash involvements was obtained by linkage with the State driver history file. Although performance on all but one of performance on all but one of the cognitive tests was significantly associated with crash involvement, a model that included Trail Making B along with driving frequency, annual self-reported miles driven, and age yielded the best estimate of recent prior crash involvement. (A)
Samenvatting