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Driving and Functional Capacity

ARU has involvement in several studies on older drivers in collaboration with investigators from Queensland University of Technology (Professor Wood), the University of Queensland (Dr Horswill, Assoc Professor Pachana) and National ICT Australia (Associate Professor Barnes).

 

Cognitive ageing and hazard perception

This study aims to characterise the effects of cognitive ageing and visual changes on hazard perception to inform the development of interventions to improve hazard perception and road safety in older Australians. These include developing an ACT hazard perception test specifically designed for older drivers (UQ) and pilot work adapting Smart Car technology to improve safety for older drivers (NICTA). This project is funded by the Australian Research Council Linkage grant and the NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust.

For more information, see Cognitive Ageing and Hazard Perception

 

Development of risk assessment tools

As part of the Prevention of Older Persons’ Injury program, we have developed a screening battery to be used with healthy older drivers to assess driver safety. This battery has been validated on 270 drivers at QUT, and further research on the tool is ongoing. Other research is focussing on developing assessment tools for older drivers with cognitive impairment.

 

Psychological aspects of driving and driving cessation

Retirement from driving in older adulthood can bring about a major negative impact on quality of life. Driving cessation can also result in negative psychological outcomes such as an increase in depressive symptoms. Researchers in the ARU have focused on the associations of relevant psychological factors such as perceived control over driving, self-regulation and optimism bias, with self-reported driving behaviour. An additional focus is on identifying personal characteristics and resources that could reduce the negative psychological impact of driving cessation, and to inform the development of interventions for older ceased drivers. 

 

ARU staff working on Driving and Functional Capacity

• Associate Professor Kaarin Anstey
• Dr Tim Windsor
• Mr Chris Hatherly
• Ms Amy Dawel
• Ms Ada Tam