The Associations Between Older Driver Licensure Laws with Travel and Passenger Behaviors Among Adults Aged 65 Years or Older (United States, 2003-2017)

Automated vehicles for older adults with cognitive impairment: a survey study

As the population is ageing, the number of older adults with cognitive impairment (CI) is increasing. Automated vehicles (AVs) can improve independence and enhance the mobility of these individuals. This study aimed to: (1) understand the perception of older adults (with and without CI) and stakeholders providing services and supports regarding care and transportation about AVs, and (2) suggest potential solutions to improve the perception of AVs for older adults with mild or moderate CI. A survey was conducted with 435 older adults with and without CI and 188 stakeholders (e.g. caregivers). The results were analysed using partial least square - structural equation modelling and multiple correspondence analysis. The findings suggested relationships between older adults' level of cognitive impairment, mobility, knowledge of AVs, and perception of AVs. The results provided recommendations to improve older adults' perception of AVs including education and adaptive driving simulation-based training.Practitioner summary: This study investigated the perception of older adults and other stakeholders regarding AVs. The findings suggested relationships between older adults' level of cognitive impairment, mobility, knowledge of AVs, and perception of AVs. The results provided guidelines to improve older adults' perception of AVs.

Vision Screening for Motor Vehicle Collision Involvement among Older Drivers

PURPOSE

To evaluate the epidemiologic association between visual acuity and other measures of visual function and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) as well as their performance as screening tests for MVCs.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 2000 licensed drivers aged 70 years and older who resided in the environs of Jefferson County, Alabama.

METHODS

Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, useful field of view, Motor-free Visual Perception Test, and visual field sensitivity were measured at a baseline visit. Study participants were followed for up to 4 years for the occurrence of MVC involvement. Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to determine the screening performance of each visual function measure with respect to MVC occurrence. Poisson regression was used to estimate rate ratios (RRs) for the association between each visual function measure and MVC occurrence.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Police-reported MVCs.

RESULTS

For all visual function measures, the AUC values were only slightly higher than 0.50; additionally, none of the measures exhibited adequate values for both sensitivity and specificity (i.e., > 80%). For all visual function measures except visual acuity, there were statistically significant positive RRs for the association between vision impairment and MVC occurrence, although the magnitude of the associations was weak (i.e., < 2.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The negative impact of involuntary driving cessation on mobility and the associated mental health implications likely outweigh the safety benefit of vision screening. Alternative approaches to improving older driver safety should be considered.