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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Associations of biomarkers, cognition and self-reports of sensory function with self-reported driving behaviour and
Kaarin J Anstey1, Glen A Smith
1Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Karin.Anstey@anu.edu.au
Background:
Older adults report self-regulating their driving habits but little is known about factors associated with driving habits and driving confidence.
Objective:
We aimed to evaluate cognitive performance, biomarkers and self-reported sensory function as correlates of self-reported driving behaviour and confidence.
Methods:
A volunteer sample of 153 drivers aged between 60 and 90 were assessed on biomarkers (vision, hearing, vibration sense, grip strength and FEV(1)), and cognitive performance. A subsample of 121 also completed a questionnaire on driving behaviour, driving confidence and self-reported sensory function. Structural equation modelling techniques were used to evaluate the relative importance of subjective and performance-based variables.
Results:
Driving behaviour and confidence were associated with cognitive performance, biomarkers, chronological age and one question on self-rated hearing difficulty. Structural equation modelling showed that biomarkers were most important in predicting self- reported driving behaviour.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that individuals self-monitor according to their physiological well-being and report their driving behaviour accordingly.
