Impaired knowledge of driving laws is associated with recommended driving cessation in cognitively impaired older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The present study examined if knowledge of driving laws independently predicts on-the-road driving performance among cognitively impaired older adults.


METHODS
The current study consisted of retrospective observational analyses on 55 cognitively impaired older adults (77.9 ± 6.4 years) that completed an on-the-road driving evaluation, a 20-item knowledge test of driving laws, and a brief cognitive test battery.


RESULTS
Logistic regression found poorer performance on the knowledge test was significantly associated with greater likelihood of recommended driving cessation beyond important demographic and cognitive variables (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitively impaired patients' ability to drive may be related to their knowledge regarding common driving laws, in addition to their current level of cognitive functioning.
Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.
Michael L
ML
Alosco
Brian R
BR
Ott
Mary Jo
MJ
Cleveland
Kristy
K
Royle
Stephanie
S
Snyder
Mary Beth
MB
Spitznagel
John
J
Gunstad