Visual acuity is a factor that causes older people to stop driving

With about 30 million drivers across the United States aged 65 or older, we rely on themselves to realize when they can't drive safely anymore and decide it's time to give up. steering wheel. The new study found that reducing visual function is a key factor in this decision in the elderly.

A driving study by Johns Hopkins University researchers looked at the change in vision, perception and general health status of more than 1,200 drivers aged 67-87 years at Salisbury, MD. This is a unique program in this regard, in which studies perform comprehensive tests of visual and cognitive functions.

The results of the study, published in the Journal of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, show that after one year, 1.5% of drivers quit driving and 3.4% restricted driving.The factor that causes drivers to stop or reduce driving is slow vision recognition, mental motor speed and poor vision skills, as well as reduced contrast levels. (These skills are needed to help drivers recognize and respond to other cars, road conditions and road signs. Contrast sensitivity is the ability to recognize details in the shadow; it is necessary. for driving in bad weather and inadequate lighting).

With about 30 million drivers across the United States aged 65 or older, we rely on themselves to realize when they can't drive safely anymore and decide it's time to give up. steering wheel. (Photo: ecu.edu)

The researchers said: 'These skills are very important to be able to drive confidently and safely, because driving objects moves at high speed and accurately and in time very necessary '.

The study, funded by the National Institute of Aging, also found that women tend to stop or limit driving four times more than men. In addition, drivers with higher attenuation points in the first test tend to stop or limit the return of the vehicle after one year. Previous studies have pinpointed that depression is an impact on stopping driving rather than a predictor.

Dr. Lisa Keay said: 'Older drivers are one of the fastest growing drivers in the United States. The decision to stop or limit driving has a strong impact on your independence - but it is an important action to ensure the safety of the driver himself as well as the traffic participants'. .

' We think that when a driver finds that his vision or cognitive function is declining, they will have to make this essential decision. My colleagues and I feel very confident that this is the main trend in this age group. '