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Can video games or softwares help older drivers?
Could a video game or software help you become a better driver? There are automobile researchers who believe that cognitive assessment software made especially for older drivers can help them overcome their driving challenges. Whereas games like "Brain Age" are aimed at increasing your mental sharpness, the cognitive software uses bouncing balls and visual memory tests to assess your driving skills. Roadwise Review: Developed by the American Automobile Association (AAA), Roadwise Review is aimed at helping senior drivers assess their driving. The duration of this program is about 30 minutes and costs about $15. The session includes a do-it-yourself driving assessment, including video clips that explain the importance of the tests designed for checking vision and memory.
Some of the other programs that test mental alertness of older drivers in the US and then subsequently train them to improve their driving skills include: DriveFit: An online driving fitness assessment test developed by an Israel-based software company named CogniFit; the duration is 30-minutes and the fee is approx. $89. DriveFit uses visual and memory tests to test 12 basic physical and mental abilities (driving-related) in senior drivers. Some of the areas that are tested include:
- Tendency to take risks- Reaction time
- Ability to judge speed and drive safely when multi-tasking (for example, driving and speaking on a cell phone at the same time) According to the experts at DriveFit, drivers who are slower at processing information in the above mentioned areas tend to be more dangerous drivers.
For more information on driving fitness assessment tests for older drivers in the US and programs to help you become a better driver, you may also browse through the articles on "senior driving" on www.aarp.org
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