Appropriate encoding strategies compensate for driving abilities in elderly individuals: a virtual reality study

Comparison between elderly and young drivers' performances on a driving simulator and self-assessment of their driving attitudes and mastery

Elderly people are often considered dangerous drivers due to a decline in visual exploration and cognitive functions. The purpose of this study was to look into 18 young (between 21 and 35  years old) and 12 elderly (between 65 and 78 years old) drivers' behaviour. We compared their self-assessment of driving as well as their visual and cognitive competencies. Then we assessed their driving competencies and self-regulation practices by using different scenarios on a driving simulator. These scenarios were designed to test drivers in situations that were intended to solicit the cognitive competencies identified as problematic for elderly drivers (attention, executive functions: anticipation, planning, mental flexibility). Results showed that, although elderly drivers did not always perform as well as young drivers, they could put in place compensatory strategies which may reduce their risk of being injured and future research should explore ways of enhancing those strategies. In particular, more should be done in order to strengthen elderly's understanding regarding their driving difficulties and help them set up coping methods with respect to these difficulties.