On Driving Performance

This study investigates how visual impairment affects driving performance and whether this can be predicted by visual testin! in a clinic. Visual impairment [cataracts, visual field restriction and monocular vision) was simulated for a group of young normal subjects. Driving performance was assessed (on a closed road circuit) by measuring peripheral awareness, manoeuvring, reversing, reaction times, speed estimation, road positioning and time to complete the course. Subjects function was assessed by measurement using a visuai search and localisation measure, a divided attention reaction time completed a questionnaire of their own perception of their driving performance under conditions of visual impairment. Visual the greatest detriment to driving performance followed by binocular visual field restriction, even though drivers would have measure, and measurement of visual acuity for low contrast letters, using the Pelli-Robson charts. Simulated cataracts cause passed the vision test employed by the driving licence Authorities. The monocular condition did not significantly affect drivin performance for any of the driving tasks assessed. Visual impairment significantly reduced visual search ability and increasec would assist in the appropriate licensing of drivers. reaction time. Visual impairment also increased low contrast visual acuity. There is a strong indication that these visual test! K e y w o r d s V i s i o n , D r i v i n g , V i s u a l Testing, D r i v i n g licence t e s t i n g A Report to the Federal Office of Road Safety on the THE EFFECT OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT ON DRIVING PERFORMANCE Joanne M Wood* and Rod Troutbeck# *Centre for Eye Research #Physical Infrastructure Centre Queensland University of Technology 2 George Street Brisbane Q3000