|
Abstract
|
OBJECTIVE: Many studies addressing age-related changes in driving performance focus on comparing young vs. older drivers, which might lead to the biased conclusion that driving performance decreases only after the age of 65. The main aim of the study was to show that changes in driving performance are progressive throughout the adult years.
METHODS: A sample of 351 drivers aged from 20 to 80 was assessed for their reaction times while driving between road cones. The drivers were exposed to two conditions varying according to task complexity. In single task conditions, the drivers performed a full stopping manoeuvre at a given signal; in dual task conditions, the drivers were distracted before the signal for stopping manoeuvre was triggered. Reaction times were compared across conditions and age groups.
RESULTS: The results showed that both reaction times and variability of driving performance increased progressively between the ages of 20 and 80. The increase of both reaction times and variability was greater in the complex task condition. High performing quarter of elderly drivers performed equally well or better than younger drivers did.
CONCLUSIONS: The data clearly supported the claim that driving performance changes steadily across age groups: both mean reaction time and inter-individual variability progressively increases with age. In addition, a significant group of older drivers were identified who did not show the expected age-related decrease in performance. The findings have important implications, suggesting that in relation to driving, ageing is a progressive phenomenon and may lead to variety of driving performance; age-related studies of driving performance should put more emphasis on investigating changes across the whole driver age range rather than only comparing younger and older drivers.
Language: en |