Older drivers appear to be over-involved in collisions with other vehicles while turning. The ability to judge the velocity and distance of approaching vehicles has been cited as an explanation for their high involvement rates in these types of accidents. A simulation experiment was undertaken to examine the ability of older driver to make right turn decisions. Active drivers aged between 24-37 and above 70 years were asked to make judgments on whether they would turn between oncoming traffic. The gap times between vehicles and the speed of the oncoming traffic were manipulated on computer generated graphic projections. Findings indicated that in all conditions, older drivers were far more conservative both in the decisions to turn and their safety ratings. Older drivers appeared to rely more heavily than younger drivers on gap distance to determine whether to turn. A diminished ability to discriminate the velocity of oncoming vehicles may increase the susceptibility of older drivers to accidents in some traffic conditions. (A)
Samenvatting