%0 Journal Article
%T Driving into the Sunset: Supporting Cognitive Functioning in Older Drivers
%A Mark S. Young
%A David Bunce
%J Journal of Aging Research
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.4061/2011/918782
%X The rise in the aging driver population presents society with a significant challenge¡ªhow to maintain safety and mobility on the roads. On the one hand, older drivers pose a higher risk of an at-fault accident on a mile-for-mile basis; on the other hand, independent mobility is a significant marker of quality of life in aging. In this paper, we review the respective literatures on cognitive neuropsychology and ergonomics to suggest a previously unexplored synergy between these two fields. We argue that this conceptual overlap can form the basis for future solutions to what has been called ¡°the older driver problem.¡± Such solutions could be found in a range of emerging driver assistance technologies offered by vehicle manufacturers, which have the potential to compensate for the specific cognitive decrements associated with aging that are related to driving. 1. Introduction There is no doubt that our aging population presents society with a number of economic and public health challenges. One of these challenges is transport, more specifically, personal transport. Recent figures released by the UK Automobile Association predict that, in 20 years, 90% of men and 80% of women aged over 70 years will hold a driving licence. Contrast this with the situation today, where three-quarters of men and only 31% of women in that age group drive. In absolute terms, the number of drivers over 70 is set to double in 20 years [1] and hit 10 million by 2050. It is also widely agreed that, per vehicle mile travelled, older drivers are at a higher risk of a fatal crash (e.g., [2]). These figures raise concerns for road safety¡ªwith more older drivers driving more miles, and, for more years [3], there could be a profound impact on absolute numbers of road casualties in the future. But in an enlightened society, road safety is only one half of the older driver ¡°problem,¡± as Evans [4] puts it; we have a responsibility to meet the mobility needs of a growing population of older adults [5]. Well-being in older people depends to a large extent on their ability to successfully engage with various practical and recreational activities in daily life [6]. In turn, many of these activities are dependent on being able to drive. Driving thus enables older adults to ¡°keep on living¡± independently and maintain their quality of life [7, 8]. Evans¡¯ [4] point is that the older driver ¡°problem¡± is actually a problem for society¡ªnot just a case of getting them off the roads. Indeed, many older people actually restrict their driving boundaries to conditions where they feel safe and comfortable
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jar/2011/918782/