Mapping the knowledge domain of crash risk in older drivers studies: A scientometric analysis

With the rapid global progression of population aging, the traffic safety of older drivers has emerged as a worldwide concern, resulting in a significant surge in the number of manuscripts on this subject. This study employed scientometric analysis to scrutinize 1652 original manuscripts concerning research on older drivers. To visually depict the current state of knowledge in the field, mapping knowledge domain (MKD) was employed for scientometric analysis, shedding light on the evolution of this research area. Firstly, a statistical analysis was conducted to scrutinize the development of research on older drivers. Secondly, VOSviewer was utilized for manuscript co-citation analysis, revealing five primary research topics: cognitive function and crash risk, visual processing impairment and crash risk, potential consequences of changes in driving patterns, involvement of older drivers in crashes, as well as identifying and enhancing factors contributing to unsafe driving. Thirdly, CitNetExplorer was applied to identify core publications and their reference relationships. Research predominantly focused on visual function, cognitive function, and physical health. Fourthly, VOSviewer's keyword co-citation analysis pinpointed research hotspots in the last five years concerning older drivers: driving risk factors, driving fitness evaluation, impact of distraction on driving, and impact of visual impairment on driving. Finally, based on the aforementioned discussions and the situation in China, some feasible research directions are proposed. This paper summarizes the overall trends in the study of older drivers and the risk factors for traffic accidents. These findings can serve as a reference for improving the driving and road traffic safety of older drivers.