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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
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Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Predicting fitness to drive using the visual recognition slide test (USyd)
Lynnette G Kay1, Anita C Bundy, Lindy M Clemson
1Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, Lidcombe, New South Wales 1825, Australia. L.Kay@usyd.edu.au
Summary
The Visual Recognition Slide Test (VRST-USyd) demonstrates reliable and valid performance for assessing impaired drivers. Its effectiveness is enhanced when combined with clinician judgment on driver awareness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Traffic Safety Research
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Assessing fitness to drive in individuals with impairments is crucial for public safety.
- The Visual Recognition Slide Test developed at the University of Sydney (VRST-USyd) is a tool used for this purpose.
- Validation of such tests is essential to ensure accurate assessment of driving capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the construct validity and predictive validity of the VRST-USyd.
- To determine the internal reliability of the VRST-USyd.
- To assess the VRST-USyd's utility in identifying drivers with impairments.
Main Methods:
- A historical cohort study involving 838 impaired drivers.
- Retrospective analysis of VRST-USyd scores and on-road driving performance.
- Rasch analysis was employed to assess validity and reliability.
Main Results:
- Rasch analysis confirmed the construct validity and internal reliability of the VRST-USyd.
- The test demonstrated high participant and item reliability, effectively stratifying drivers by skill level.
- A cutoff score of 95/164 yielded 81% sensitivity and 90% specificity, improving with clinician judgment of driver awareness.
Conclusions:
- The VRST-USyd is a reliable and valid tool for assessing driving performance in impaired individuals.
- The test shows evidence of construct and predictive validity.
- Further research is needed to refine the measurement of driver awareness in relation to test performance.
