Grant: Operating Grant

Older drivers are the fastest growing segment of the driving population. Driving is an essential daily activity for many people within the aging population. It offers individuals the ability to travel, a sense of independence; for some people, it is a source of livelihood. However, the crash rate for older drivers is significantly higher than the middle-aged and younger driving populations. It has been challenging for clinicians to effectively evaluate driving fitness in older drivers. To date, there is no gold standard for evaluating driving performance. This is the result of limited direct evidence of how real-life driving performance is affected by normal aging and how thinking abilities influence driving ability in the elderly. In addition, some people may be able to drive in simple circumstances, but may be trouble to drive safely in more complex driving conditions (e.g., driving while distracted). It is therefore important to determine the brain processes required for a wide range of driving conditions. The primary goal of this project is to examine the underlying brain areas, using functional magnetic resonance imaging technology combined with a driving simulator, involved in different aspects of driving and how normal aging impacts this ability. Identifying the brain areas required for various real-world driving tasks will greatly contribute to health care by aiding in the development of better assessment and optimal training strategies for the elderly. The results will also offer new insights into policy-making regarding alternative licensing to improve the quality of life of older drivers.