The importance of reaction time, cognition, and meta-cognition abilities for drivers with visual deficits

Abstract

Individuals who do not fulfill required visual field standards have their driving license withdrawn in Sweden. However, understanding of the ability to compensate for this loss is limited. This study aimed to determine if reaction time and cognitive performance are important for safe driving in visual field loss (VFL) individuals. Visually demanding reaction time tasks of different complexity, for example, can help one understand why some VFL individuals drive as safely as normally sighted individuals. Twenty VFL individuals and 83 normally sighted individuals participated in a driving simulator experiment and an additional test battery. The driving task categorized VFL participants into two subgroups: passed or failed. Three reaction time tasks, four cognitive tests, and two meta-cognitive scales were completed. The passed VFL subgroup was faster than the failed subgroup in the context-dependent reaction time task and slower in the context-independent reaction time task. The passed subgroup performed equally well, or less well, on the cognitive tasks compared to the failed subgroup. The VFL participants performed less well than the normally sighted individuals on most cognitive tasks. However, VFL participants did not reflect on their driving ability (in meta-cognitive scales) in the same way as normally sighted individuals. There appear to be VFL subgroups in terms of ability to drive safely. Reaction time is important, but context dependent. Cognitive contextindependent tests appear unrelated to driving test outcome for VFL individuals. The problems with context-independent testing of perceptual, cognitive, and meta-cognitive abilities when predicting safe driving capabilities are discussed.

The effects of visual field loss from glaucoma on performance in a driving simulator

“…We could not find similar differences between the superior and the inferior visual field, which has been shown in previous studies (Kunimatsu-Sanuki et al 2017). Failed participants did not even drive slower to adjust for a driving inability which indicates a metacognitive inability as well (Andersson & Peters, 2019). This needs, however, to be studied further.…”

“…2017). Failed participants did not even drive slower to adjust for a driving inability which indicates a metacognitive inability as well (Andersson & Peters, 2019). This needs, however, to be studied further.…”

“…However, the normally sighted also completed a screening Humphrey perimetry 24-2 that showed no visual field loss. This group also completed some cognitive tests such as reading span (Andersson & Peters 2019). The pretesting took approximately one hour.…”

Benefits of Higher Cardiovascular and Motor Coordinative Fitness on Driving Behavior Are Mediated by Cognitive Functioning: A Path Analysis

“…In addition, when engaging in an additional task during driving (e.g., adjusting the radio) the driver is required to efficiently shift attention between tasks while also holding and updating relevant environmental cues in mind (Marmeleira et al, 2009 ; Karthaus and Falkenstein, 2016 ; Pope et al, 2017 ). Further, cognitive processing speed has been associated with driving behavior (Salthouse, 1996 , 2009 ; Roenker et al, 2003 ; Edwards et al, 2009 ; Albinet et al, 2012 ; Eramudugolla et al, 2017 ), as it is important during complex cognitive-motor behaviors such as high traffic loads or driving while performing an additional task (Edwards et al, 2009 ; Künstler et al, 2018 ; Andersson and Peters, 2020 ). However, the cognitive mechanisms specifically involved in dual-task driving need to be further investigated as most studies on the relationship between cognitive functions and driving have been conducted in single-task settings (Depestele et al, 2020 ).…”

Ergonomic Criterion in the Design of Roadside Information: Letters Size Methodology

“…Visual field defect includes (Sokolová, Beneš, and Holoubkowá, 2013) loss of the central and loss of the peripheral field. In driver's case, these dysfunctions may be the reason of accidents and the restriction or withdrawal of driving licenses (Andersson and Peters, 2020;Pas-Wyroślak, Siedlecka, Wyroślak, et al, 2013;Dow, 2011). Polish law stipulates those persons applying for or holding a driving license category (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 1659):…”