Alternative Avenues in the Assessment of Driving Capacities in Older Drivers and Implications for Training

The aging of the population, combined with the overrepresentation of older drivers in car crashes, has engendered a whole body of research destined at finding simple and efficient assessment methods of driving capacities. Such a search is destined to fail, given that car crashes and unsafe driving behaviors can result from myriad interacting factors. This review highlights the main problems of the current assessment methods and training programs and presents theoretical and empirical arguments justifying the need of reorienting the research focus. In our discussion, we elaborate the fundamental principle of specificity in learning and practice. We also identify overlooked variables that are deterministic when assessing and training a complex ability like driving. We especially focus on the role of the sensorimotor transformation process. Finally, we propose alternative methods of assessment and training that, in line with recent trends in education, use virtual reality and simulation technologies.