Impairments of Some Cognitive Functions Are Common in Crash-involved Older Drivers

The relationship between limitations in different cognitive functions, measured with a neuropsychological test battery, and moving traffic violations among older drivers was investigated. Thirty-seven drivers aged 65 years or more, with temporarily suspended driving licenses (suspended drivers) were identified 23 were crash-involved and 14 were not. When compared to 31 controls with clean driving records, crash-involved suspended drivers performed less well on tests of visuoconstructive ability (p = 0.008), psychomotor speed (p = 0.019) and visuospatial memory (p = 0.036). Non-crash-involved suspended drivers did not differ from controls. A combination of three tests (of visuoconstructive ability, visuospatial memory and verbal episodic memory) succeeded in correctly classifying 65.2% of the crash-involved suspended drivers. The results support the idea of cognitive decrements as an important causal factor in crashes of older drivers.