Predictors of lane-change errors in older drivers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors that predict errors in executing proper lane changes among older drivers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of data from a longitudinal study.


METHODS
Maryland's Eastern Shore.


METHODS
One thousand eighty drivers aged 67 to 87 enrolled in the Salisbury Eye Evaluation Driving Study.


METHODS
Tests of vision, cognition, health status, and self-reported distress and a driving monitoring system in each participant's car, used to quantify lane-change errors.


RESULTS
In regression models, measures of neither vision nor perceived stress were related to lane-change errors after controlling for age, sex, race, and residence location. In contrast, cognitive variables, specifically performance on the Brief Test of Attention and the Beery-Buktenicka Test of Visual-Motor Integration, were related to lane-change errors.


CONCLUSIONS
The current findings underscore the importance of specific cognitive skills, particularly auditory attention and visual perception, in the execution of driving maneuvers in older individuals.
Munro
Cynthia A
CA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N Wolfe St, Meyer 218, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA. cmunro@jhmi.edu
Jefferys
Joan
J
Gower
Emily W
EW
Muñoz
Beatriz E
BE
Lyketsos
Constantine G
CG
Keay
Lisa
L
Turano
Kathleen A
KA
Bandeen-Roche
Karen
K
West
Sheila K
SK
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015351:Vision Screening; D014792:Visual Acuity
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