THE IMPACT OF COGNITIVE DECLINE AND DEMENTIA ON DRIVING IN OLDER ADULTS

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 compensatory strategies, significantly lower scores on driver knowledge (e.g. road sign identification) tests, and significantly lower scores on selected cognitive measures, especially those that assess sustained attention. The potential for developing a set of driver screening measures based on these results is discussed. Results of a six-month follow-up interview are also presented.

• Corporate Authors:

  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

  607 14th Street, NW, Suite 201
  Washington, DC    20005
• Authors:
  • Cushman, L A
• Publication Date: 1992-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 24 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Brain; Cognitive impairment; Dementia; Driver performance; Drivers; Driving tests; Knowledge; Mental disorders; Personnel performance; Persons with disabilities; Vision
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver screening
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver vision
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00626830
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-042 457
• Files: HSL, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1993 12:00AM