Abstract
Age-related cognitive decline impacts cognitive abilities essential for driving. We aimed to measure main cognitive functions associated with a high number of traffic violations in different driving settings. Thirty-four elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 90 years, were evaluated with a driving simulator in four different settings (Intersection, Overtaking, Rain, and Malfunction tasks) and underwent a battery of cognitive tests, including memory, attention, visuospatial, and cognitive screening tests. Individuals were divided into two groups: High-risk driving (HR, top 20% of penalty points) and normal-risk driving (NR). Non-parametric group comparison and regression analysis were performed. The HR group showed higher total driving penalty score compared to the NR group (median=29, range= 9-44 vs. median=61, range= 47-97, p<0.001). The HR group showed higher penalty scores in the Intersection task (p<0.001) and the Overtaking and Rain tasks (p<0.05 both). The verbal learning score was significantly lower in the HR group (median=33, range=12-57) compared with the NR group (median=38, range=23-57, p<0.05), and it was observed that this score had the best predictive value for worse driving performance in the regression model. General cognitive screening tests (Mini-Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Evaluation) were similar between the groups (p>0.05), with a small effect size (Cohen's d=0.3 both). The verbal learning score may be a better predictor of driving risk than cognitive screening tests. High-risk drivers also showed significantly higher traffic driving penalty scores in the Intersection, Overtaking, and Rain tests.
Highlights
Traffic accidents are a major cause of death in all age groups1
Age was moderately correlated with the Intersection score (r=0.48, p=0.004) and total driving penalty score (r=0.37, p=0.03)
The HR group showed higher driving penalty scores in the Intersection, rain, and overtaking tests compared to the normal-risk driving (NR) group
Summary
Traffic accidents are a major cause of death in all age groups. There is a growing number of individuals driving cars in urban areas, especially older adults, and with the constant increase in the geriatric population, the number of older adults obtaining a driver’s license has increased. Age-related cognitive decline affects driving abilities and may increase the number of traffic violations and accidents. Objective: We aimed to measure main cognitive functions associated with a high number of traffic violations in different driving settings. Methods: Thirty-four elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 90 years, were evaluated with a driving simulator in four different settings (Intersection, Overtaking, Rain, and Malfunction tasks) and underwent a battery of cognitive tests, including memory, attention, visuospatial, and cognitive screening tests. Results: The HR group showed higher total driving penalty score compared to the NR group (median=29, range= 9–44 vs median=61, range= 47–97, p
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