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Relationships Between Cognitive and Driving Self-awareness in Older Drivers

Author

Listed:
  • Laurence Paire-Ficout
  • Sylviane Lafont
  • Marion Hay
  • Amandine Coquillat
  • Colette Fabrigoule
  • Chantal Chavoix
  • Vanessa Taler

Abstract

ObjectivesMany older drivers incorrectly estimate their driving ability. The present study aimed to determine whether, and if so, to what extent unawareness of cognitive abilities affects self-awareness of driving ability.MethodTwo successive studies were conducted in older drivers. A cohort study investigated cognitive self-awareness and an experimental study examined driving self-awareness. In each one, self-awareness was assessed by cross-analyzing objective (respectively Trail-Making Tests A and B and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and driving performance of on-road assessment) and subjective data (responses about everyday cognitive skills and driving ability). Older drivers were then classified as being over-, correct, or underestimators. The 3 cognitive and driving self-awareness profiles were then cross-analyzed.ResultsIn the cohort study, 1,190 drivers aged 70 years or older were included. The results showed that 42.7% of older drivers overestimated their cognitive ability, 42.2% estimated it correctly, and 15.1% underestimated it. The experimental study included 145 participants from the cohort. The results showed that 34% of participants overestimated, 45% correctly estimated, and 21% underestimated their driving ability. There was a significant relationship between cognitive and driving self-awareness profiles (p = .02). This overlap was more marked in overestimators.DiscussionSignificant overlap between cognitive and driving self-awareness provides useful and new knowledge about driving in the aging population. Misestimation of cognitive ability could hamper self-awareness of driving ability, and consequently self-regulation of driving. It is now crucial to develop measures that promote self-awareness of ability.

Suggested Citation

  • Laurence Paire-Ficout & Sylviane Lafont & Marion Hay & Amandine Coquillat & Colette Fabrigoule & Chantal Chavoix & Vanessa Taler, 2021. "Relationships Between Cognitive and Driving Self-awareness in Older Drivers," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(6), pages 1077-1085.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:6:p:1077-1085.
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