The present study examined visual, cognitive, and driver knowledge measures as related to on-road driving performance in a sample of 17 drivers aged 57 to 97. Eight subjects were referred because of suspected early dementia; nine were self-referred or were volunteers. The subjects' driving performances were not differentiated by reason for referral, age, and sex. However, those 8 drivers who failed to meet standards were characterized by several findings. These included: a tendency to drive fewer miles, high frequency use of specific compendatory strategies, significantly lower scores on driver knowledge (e.g. road sign identification) tests, and significantly lower scores on selected cognitive measures, especially those that access sustained attention. The potential for developing a set of driver screening measures based in these results is discussed. Results of a six-month follow-up interview are also presented. (A)
Samenvatting