Hazard perception in older drivers

Abstract

We have developed a hazard perception test (HPT) that presents short video scenes to observers and requires them to identify a traffic conflict that could lead to a collision between the 'camera' vehicle and another road user. In the present study, we compared the performance of young, experienced drivers (M = 21.30 years of age) with that of healthy, older drivers (M = 70.88 years of age). Although an average hazard perception test score based on all scenes did not produce systematic age effects, older adults were systematically slower on a composite hazard perception test score used previously with novice drivers (Scialfa et al., 2011b). Age differences in hazard perception test latencies were mediated by contrast sensitivity, but not simple reaction time. The findings suggest that a brief hazard perception test could potentially be used in the assessment of drivers across the adult lifespan.

Intervention Comparative Effectiveness for Adult Cognitive Training (ICE-ACT) Trial: Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics

“…We are also attempting to obtain more direct measures of independence in older adults. For driving, we assessed driving simulator performance on a road hazards perception test similar to prior hazard perception tests that are reliably related to driving errors for on-road tests (e.g., [27,42]). We assessed a diverse set of financial outcomes, such as performance on a Fraud Detection task and the simulated banking management task in UMCFAB.…”

Neuropsychological Correlates of Hazard Perception in Older Adults

“…Prior research has documented that novice drivers are generally worse at hazard perception as compared to experienced drivers (Scialfia, Borkenhagen, et al, 2012), and there is evidence that hazard perception skills can be trained to improve the safety of novice drivers (Beanland, Goode, Salmon, & Lenne, 2013; Horswill, Taylor, Newman, Wetton, & Hill, 2013; Pollatsek, Narayanaan, Pradhan, & Fisher, 2006). However, even though hazard perception improves with driving experience and training, there is some recent evidence that hazard perception declines in older age (Horswill et al, 2008, 2009; Scialfa, Deschênes, et al, 2012).…”

Predicting On‐Road Driving Performance and Safety in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults

“…Several tools measuring these abilities have been used to assess fitness to drive in older adults. These include the Driving Health Inventory (DHI) (marketed as the Roadwise Review) and hazard perception tests (HPTs) . The DHI comprises many of the tests previously shown to predict on‐road safety, including several tests of vision, lower‐body strength, attention (useful field of view (UFOV)), visual search, and memory (Trails Test).…”

“…These include the Driving Health Inventory (DHI) (marketed as the Roadwise Review) 8 and hazard perception tests (HPTs). [9][10][11] The DHI comprises many of the tests previously shown to predict on-road safety, including several tests of vision, lower-body strength, attention (useful field of view (UFOV)), visual search, and memory (Trails Test). Its predictive utility in assessing driver fitness in healthy older adults has been inconsistent.…”