title: The relationship between cognitive performance, perceptions of driving comfort and abilities, and self-reported driving restrictions among healthy older drivers.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between cognitive performance, driver perceptions and self-reported driving restrictions. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on baseline data from Candrive II, a five-year prospective cohort study of 928 older drivers aged 70-94 years from seven cities. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as well as the Trail Making Test, parts A and B. Driver perceptions were assessed using the Day and Night Driving Comfort Scales and the Perceived Driving Abilities scale, while driving practices were captured by the Situational Driving Frequency and Avoidance scales, as well as the Driving Habits and Intentions Questionnaire. The baseline data indicates this cohort is largely a cognitively intact group. Univariate regression analysis showed that longer Trails A and B completion times were significantly, but only modestly associated with reduced driving frequency and perceived driving abilities and comfort, as well as a significant tendency to avoid more difficult driving situations (all p<.05). Most of these associations persisted after adjusting for age and sex, as well as indicators of health, vision, mood and physical functioning. Exceptions were Trails A and B completion times and situational driving frequency, as well as time to complete Trails B and current driving restrictions. After adjusting for the confounding factors, the total MoCA score was not associated with any of the driving measure scores while the number of errors on Trails A was significantly associated only with situational driving frequency and number of errors on Trails B was significantly associated only with situational driving avoidance. Prospective follow-up will permit examination of whether baseline cognition or changes in cognition are associated with changes in driver perceptions, actual driving restrictions and on-road driving outcomes (e.g., crashes, violations) over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada. Electronic address: Mark.rapoport@sunnybrook.ca.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rapoport
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Naglie
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weegar
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crizzle
authors.forename: Nicol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korner-Bitensky
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tuokko
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vrkljan
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bédard
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mazer
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gélinas
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Man-Son-Hing
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003071:Cognition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Aging; Cognitive assessment; Cognitive function; Drivers; Driving behavior; Self-report