Investigating the Spatial Pattern of Older Drivers’ Eye Fixation Behaviour and Associations with Their Visual Capacity

Older drivers have one of the highest vehicle crash rates in comparison with other population groups, largely due to the functional effects of the accumulation, and progression of age-related deterioration in visual, cognitive and motor conditions that impact on fitness to drive (Molnar et al., 2007). Numerous studies indicate that the predominant casualty crash type for older drivers involved complex road environments or high cognitive workload situations (Charlton et al., 2005). Statistically, older drivers are less likely to be involved in crashes caused by fatigue, high speed, weather condition, or alcohol than younger drivers. Conversely, older drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes in certain scenarios, such as manoeuvres through intersections; failure to yield the right of way; failure to identify hazards, or to heed stop signs/traffic signals; and problems involving turning and changing lanes (Clarke, Ward, Bartle, & Truman, 2010; Marmeleira, Ferreira, Melo, & Godinho, 2012; McGwin & Brown, 1999). Investigating the Spatial Pattern of Older Drivers’ Eye Fixation Behaviour and Associations with Their Visual Capacity