AS DRIVERS AGE... VISUAL CUES MUST CHANGE
In a study by the Transportation Research Board, 'Transportation in an Aging Society', it was determined that nearly 85% of trips by those 65 and over are now made in automobiles. It was found that a person's visual performance and cognitive ability diminish with age, and drivers over 75 are twice as likely to be in a crash. Persons over age 65 are most vulnerable. The study recommended the adoption of standards based on minimum required visibility needed by older drivers. It specified bigger, brighter and better maintained signs. Forty to 50 % of current road signage has no reflectivity. Better maintained and wider pavement markings and simplified intersections were also recommended.
TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Cognitive impairment; Driver performance; Drivers; Intersections; Personnel performance; Persons with disabilities; Road markings; Traffic signs; Vision
Old TRIS Terms: Driver vision; Traffic marking