A-069 Comparing Driving Errors in Young Adults with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Abstract Objective Research has found differences in driving behaviors of individuals with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though it is unclear whether differences translate to poorer driving. This study assessed whether ASD diagnosis, executive functioning, and regulation of driving speed and lane positioning predict errors during a simulated drive. Method Participants included 88 16–26 year-olds (45 ASD; 73 Male) who completed assessments of executive functioning and a simulated drive. The drive included a rural route without distractions, the same route with secondary tasks, a highway drive, and a residential drive. For the residential drive, coders documented drivers’ errors including driving onto a curb, crossing the center lane, turning from the wrong lane, running a red light or stop sign, illegally changing lanes, and hitting a person or car. A hierarchical regression included stepwise insertion of ASD diagnosis, neurocognitive performance, and speed and lane deviation as predictor variables and the square root of driving errors as the outcome variable. Results Drivers with ASD committed significantly more errors than non-ASD drivers, p = .03, R2 = .06. Neurocognitive performance added significant predictive value, p = .001, R2Adj = .15. Speed and lane regulation also added significant predictive value, p < .001, R2Adj = .39. The full model accounted for 46% of the variance in driving errors. Conclusions Novice drivers with ASD may be more likely than their peers to make overt, potentially dangerous, errors while driving. Assessment of executive function and less dangerous driving behaviors such as regulation of speed and lane positioning may help to identify individuals at highest risk for committing driving errors and inform driving interventions.