Use Challenges and Training Needs of In-Vehicle Technologies for Older Drivers With Vision Impairments.

Abstract

Importance: Older drivers with impaired vision may face challenges using in-vehicle technologies, affecting user experience.

Objective: To explore use challenges with in-vehicle technologies and training preferences of older drivers with and without central vision loss (CVL).

Design: A telephone questionnaire on perceptions of driver-vehicle interface use difficulties, challenges with existing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and preferences for ADAS acquisition and training.

Setting: Community-dwelling U.S. older adults.

Participants: A total of 126 volunteers 18 yr and older with valid driver's licenses who had driven within the last 2 mo were recruited. The CVL group self-reported diagnoses of various forms of CVL.

Results: Fifty-eight older drivers with CVL (Mdn age = 71.4 yr, 41% male) and 68 without (Mdn age = 71.8 yr, 37% male) completed the questionnaire. The CVL group reported greater difficulty using in-vehicle technologies compared with the non-CVL group, particularly in recognizing visual information in vehicle interfaces. Greater difficulty correlated with poorer self-reported vision status and with increased self-regulated driving exposure. Primary challenges for the CVL group included issues with small button and font sizes, inadequate color contrast, and display glare. Both groups expressed a desire for guidance and training in effective ADAS use, with the CVL group preferring guidance from health care professionals.

Conclusions and relevance: Older drivers with CVL face challenges using in-vehicle technologies, especially in accessing visual information. They prefer guidance from health care professionals, suggesting potential for tailored support from occupational therapists specializing in driving rehabilitation. Plain-Language Summary: This study explored the challenges faced by older drivers with central vision loss when using in-vehicle technologies. Older drivers with central vision loss reported significantly more difficulty than drivers without central vision loss, particularly in recognizing and using visual information in vehicle interfaces and with advanced driver assistance systems. Challenges included issues with small buttons and font sizes, poor color contrast, and display glare. Individuals with more severe vision impairment, who drive less and avoid more driving situations, face more challenges with in-vehicle technologies, yet these are the drivers who might benefit most from such technologies. Both groups expressed a desire for guidance in selecting and using driver assistance technologies, with drivers with central vision loss preferring support from health care professionals. The study findings highlight the need for tailored training and support, which could enhance occupational therapy clients' ability to effectively use modern vehicle technologies to drive safely.