A-47Evaluating the Relationship between a Neurological Measure of Inattention and Driving Performance

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a standard measure of inattention was related to driving errors on a simulated driving task. It was predicted that inattention would be positively associated with collisions, tickets, and road deviations. Method: Participants consisted of 52 adults aged 18–59 (M = 29.85, SD = 10.84) from a normal population. The sample was 55.8% females, 60.0% Caucasian, and 92.3% right-handed, with an average education level of 15.88 (SD = 2.46) years. Variables from the Conners Continuous Performance Test, Second Edition (CPT-II), and STISIM Drive^® were used in analyses. Results: Results were considered significant at the p < .05 level. STISIM Total Tickets/Violations on the STISM driving program demonstrated a positive linear relationship with CPT-II Hit Reaction Time Standard Error (r = .46) and Variability (r = .43). STISIM Total Adverse Events also was positively correlated with CPT-II Hit Reaction Time Standard Error (r = .42) and Variability (r = .33), and STISIM Total Lane Excursions was positively correlated with CPT-II Omissions (r = .34) and Variability (r = .28). No significant relationships were found regarding STISIM Total Collisions and CPT-II measures. Conclusion: The tendency to obtain tickets, incur adverse events, and deviate from road lanes on a driving simulator task appears to be related to CPT-II measures of inattention and consistency. Measures of inattention were not predictive of accident risk using the CPT-II. The CPT-II is indicated as being useful in the assessment of driving abilities.

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DOMAINS: MEMORY AND AMNESIA