Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Keeping Older Drivers Behind the Wheel

Posted by timothy on from the my-dad-should-just-not-drive-ever dept.

Hugh Pickens writes "A new study shows the key role technology can play in extending the age at which people can drive safely and highlights the important psychological role that driving plays in older people's lives in contributing to feelings of independence and freedom and maintaining their quality of life. The study identified ideas for in-car information systems to help compensate for the reduction in reaction time that affects many older drivers. Specific recommendations included a head-up display on the windshield that displays road sign information based on GPS position so the driver doesn't have to keep watching the road side for information and a system to provide the driver with audible feedback on their current speed so the driver doesn't have to look at the dashboard so often. 'Our research highlights issues that have been overlooked by car designers and those advising older people on lifestyles,' says Dr Charles Musselwhite, who led the study. 'The current emphasis on developing technologies which take over part of the driving task may actually end up deterring older drivers. By contrast, better in-car information systems could help them drive safely and ensure they want to keep driving.'"

7 of 260 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Please no! by clang_jangle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Exactly. How can a person who ignores their turn signal indicator for 30 miles be expected to look through a transparent heads-up display and see the road, or recognize which beep is beeping?

    --
    Caveat Utilitor
  2. No no no. by Zwicky · · Score: 5, Funny

    Always upgrade to the newest stable drivers. Have we learned nothing?

    --
    "Three eyes are better than one" -- Lieutenant Columbo
    1. Re:No no no. by ArsonSmith · · Score: 5, Funny

      don't go with the 1.6 version though it's known to crash more often. Risk analysis has shown that 2.5 version seems to be much better judging by the insurance costs. Version 6.5+ varies in quality depending on the install and how well it has been maintained.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
  3. Re:Please no! by eln · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought the reason old people drove such big cars is so they could drive in a straight line indefinitely without having to be bothered by such minor inconveniences as road debris, stop signs, small dogs, children, etc.

  4. Re:Please no! by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...ignores their turn signal indicator for 30 miles

    Give him a break, maybe Senator McCain is busy texting someone on his BlackBerry.

  5. Open source them, dummit! by snikulin · · Score: 5, Funny

    At this site I have leaned that open-sourcing the drivers will solve all drivers' problems.
    Without any doubt, OSS community will fix all these drivers in no time.

  6. Re:Please no! by omeomi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Give him a break, maybe Senator McCain is busy texting someone on his BlackBerry.

    Or, more likely, sending somebody a telegram with one of those black clicky Morse code things.

    --
    ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack