Ageing is associated with changes in cognitive functions that affect fitness to drive. However, little is known about age effects on traffic sign comprehension (TSC).In this study, we assessed 37 older and 29 younger healthy drivers with a standardised traffic sign test and a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.Older drivers showed lower TSC speed and tended to interpret more recent traffic signs less accurately than younger drivers. Higher cognitive functioning was generally associated with better TSC performances in both groups. In older drivers, TSC speed was related to specific cognitive functions such as cognitive flexibility and inhibition.Our findings suggest that traffic signs should appear in time to meet age-related constraints in TSC processing speed and should put low demands on inhibitory skills and cognitive flexibility. However, our findings also suggest that cognitive abilities are important for TSC regardless of age. In addition, a periodic update of traffic sign knowledge appears to be necessary.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Age effects on traffic sign comprehension




    Publication date :

    2020




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown




    Drivers Comprehension of Traffic Sign Information

    Macdonald,W. / Hoffmann,E. / Univ.of Melbourne,AU | Automotive engineering | 1983


    Highway traffic sign comprehension: A cross-cultural study

    Shinar, D. / Dewar, R. / Summala, H. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Traffic sign symbol comprehension: A cross-cultural study

    Shinar, David / Dewar, Robert E. / Summala, Heikki et al. | Tema Archive | 2003



    TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE COMPREHENSION

    Sunanda DISSANAYAKE, Ph.D. | DOAJ | 2001

    Free access