A training programme has been developed in order to improve the driving performance of elderly drivers, considering their perceptive and cognitive difficulties and the changes of the driving task. Given the characteristics of elderly drivers, this training programme seeks to improve some cognitive capacities, as well as the acceptability of change and the adaptability to new systems. The general objective of this programme is the improvement in performance, allowing for correct identification of the problems, the adequate selection of solutions, the evaluation of subsequent phases, transfer of new cognitive skills from one situation to another, and the evaluation of behavioural self-correction. The type of stimuli behavioural self-correction. The type of stimuli presented during the learning period will allow the development of the cognitive potential and the strategies for resolution of problems, in order to obtain autonomous learning. The training programme was applied to a sample of 14 drivers over 60 years old (average 67.5), during 6 weeks with a total of 40 hours. The sample was divided in two groupes: (1) one of them has, previously, accomplished the simulator tests developed by INRETS in Lyon; and (2) the other one did not carry out the tests. After the training programme, both groups accomplished the referred simulator tests, as well as the specific tests of the programme. A questionnaire was applied at the end of the learning period in order to identify the subjective impressions about the training programme. (A)
Samenvatting