Avaliação neuropsicológica de condutores idosos: Relações entre resultados em testes cognitivos, desempenho de condução automóvel e acidentes

Abstract

The examination of older drivers with neuropsychological tests represents an actual area of investigation in the context of demographic aging. The purpose of the present text is to identify a battery of tests with predictive value in relation to driving measures, which permit the signalling of older drivers with a major risk of accident or a failure in a driving test. Due to the unexistence of related investigations in Portugal, we present a revision of the empirical studies made in other countries. The reported studies show the utility of the neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive functions that are necessary for safe driving such as executive functions, visual-spatial, visual-perceptive and visual attention. More investigations are further needed with a view to the development of a battery of neuropsychological tests for older drivers, contributing to a better precision and predictive value of the psychological examination methods of drivers in this age group.