title: Active training and driving-specific feedback improve older drivers' visual search prior to lane changes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Driving retraining classes may offer an opportunity to attenuate some effects of aging that may alter driving skills. Unfortunately, there is evidence that classroom programs (driving refresher courses) do not improve the driving performance of older drivers. The aim of the current study was to evaluate if simulator training sessions with video-based feedback can modify visual search behaviors of older drivers while changing lanes in urban driving.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the video-based feedback training, 10 older drivers who received a driving refresher course and feedback about their driving performance were tested with an on-road standardized evaluation before and after participating to a simulator training program (Feedback group). Their results were compared to a Control group (12 older drivers) who received the same refresher course and in-simulator active practice as the Feedback group without receiving driving-specific feedback.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After attending the training program, the Control group showed no increase in the frequency of the visual inspection of three regions of interests (rear view and left side mirrors, and blind spot). In contrast, for the Feedback group, combining active training and driving-specific feedbacks increased the frequency of blind spot inspection by 100% (32.3 to 64.9% of verification before changing lanes).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that simulator training combined with driving-specific feedbacks helped older drivers to improve their visual inspection strategies, and that in-simulator training transferred positively to on-road driving. In order to be effective, it is claimed that driving programs should include active practice sessions with driving-specific feedbacks. Simulators offer a unique environment for developing such programs adapted to older drivers' needs.
authors.affiliation: Division de kinésiologie, GRAME, Département de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, 2300 rue de la Terrasse, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada. Martin.Lavalliere.1@ulaval.ca
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavallière
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simoneau
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laurendeau
authors.forename: Normand
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Teasdale
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D030141:Feedback, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*