Performance in normal subjects on a novel battery of driving-related sensory-motor and cognitive tests

An Investigation into the Impact of Parkinson's Disease upon Decision Making Ability and Driving Performance

“…There are no current national standards or requirements for how clinical driving assessments should be conducted (Innes, et al, 2009). Medical experts are often required to determine driving performance, even though the majority have not been trained in driving assessment, or actually observed their patient driving a car (Adler, et al, 2000).…”

“…Jones (2009) found that the most frequently self-identified cognitive areas affecting driving amongst people with PD were decision making, complex attention, visual search, impulse control, planning and divided attention. They also conducted a meta-analysis, and found that these six areas have been associated with previous incidents of unsafe driving and traffic errors (Amick, et al, 2007;Innes, et al, 2009). In a study of 150 people with PD, it was found that cognitive impairment had a significant impact upon the crash rate per miles driven, irrespective of the actual disease severity (Devos, et al, 2007).…”

“…the development of better screening tools and allow health professionals to differentiate between capable and unsafe drivers (Adler, et al, 2000). This may allow capable drivers with PD to retain their licences and current quality of life through active participation in occupations (Innes, et al, 2009). As the number of drivers with PD will rapidly increase due to the aging population, such an initiative will assist in improving road safety (Cordell, et al, 2008).…”

“…Drivers may not seek medical advice and/or driving assessments may not be sought as needed, as the potential impacts upon driving performance are poorly understood (Betz & Fisher, 2009). Jones (2009) found that the most frequently self-identified cognitive areas affecting driving amongst people with PD were decision making, complex attention, visual search, impulse control, planning and divided attention. They also conducted a meta-analysis, and found that these six areas have been associated with previous incidents of unsafe driving and traffic errors (Amick, et al, 2007;Innes, et al, 2009).…”

Driving Assessment and Subsequent Driving Outcome: A Prospective Study of Safe and Unsafe Healthy Driver Groups

“…Visual acuity in each eye was also assessed using a Snellen chart. Participants also underwent assessment on a computerized battery of sensory-motor and cognitive tests (SMCTests) (Innes, Jones, Anderson, Hollobon, & Dalrymple-Alford, 2009;Jones & Donaldson, 1995;Jones, Donaldson, & Parkin, 1989) developed as a research tool for assessment of patients with neurological disorders and for assessment of driving ability (Innes et al, 2007). SMCTests assesses visuospatial function, visuoperception, reaction time, ballistic movement, visuomotor tracking, decision-making, visual search, sustained attention, divided attention, impulse control, and planning.…”