A Review of the Evidence Relating to Cognitive Training for Older Drivers

It may be desirable to delay the cessation of driving in older adults, as driving cessation has been linked to negative consequences and benefits of prolonging driving have been demonstrated.

However, it is well documented in the psychological research literature that cognitive abilities decline with age and some of these abilities are needed for driving. It is possible that age-related declines in cognitive ability may be partly responsible for the over-representation of older drivers in road collisions.

Cognitive training may have a role to play in making older drivers safer, either by making them more aware of the cognitive declines they are experiencing or by slowing or reversing those declines.

The paper reviews the available evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive training and relates it to older drivers.