IMPAIRMENTS OF SOME COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS ARE COMMON IN CRASH-INVOLVED OLDER DRIVERS

The relationship between limitations in different cognitive functions, measured with a neuropsychological test battery, and moving traffic v iolations among older drivers was investigated. Thirty-seven drivers a ged 65 years or more, with temporarily suspended driving licenses (sus pended drivers) were identified 23 were crash-involved and 14 were not . When compared to 31 controls with clean driving records, crash-invol ved suspended drivers performed less well on tests of visuoconstructiv e ability (p=0.008), psychomotor speed (p= 0.019) and visuospatial mem ory (p=0.036). Non-crash-involved suspended drivers did not differ fro m controls. A combination of three tests (of visuoconstructive ability , visuospatial memory and verbal episodic memory) succeeded in correct ly classifying 65.2% of the crash-involved suspended drivers. The resu lts support the idea of cognitive decrements as an important causal fa ctor in crashes of older drivers. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.