Understanding driving behaviour in individuals with mild cognitive impairments: a naturalistic study

Driving is a crucial function to maintain independence for many adults, however, changes in health may affect driving skills. Researchers have sought to understand how the risk from driving changes as people age or experience cognitive decline. Previous studies, whilst recognising a number of cognitive factors that correlate with driving, have not found statistical evidence that could support using any specific cognitive test to support fitness to drive assessments. In-car monitoring technology (telematics) can provide a low-cost way to monitor driving risk by understanding measurable aspects of driving which can be correlated to risk behaviours, for instance: smoothness of driving, locationally excessive speeds and aggressive acceleration behaviours.

In this paper we present preliminary results from a naturalistic study that uses telematics to collect driving behaviour data and investigate the relationship between measurable driving factors and neurological conditions under normal driving conditions.