Exploring Older Driver Lateral Head Rotations at Intersections Using Naturalistic Driving Data

This study represented a meta-analysis across two naturalistic driving databases which were collected in the same geographic area but focused on distinct age groups. Differences in range of lateral head rotation between older and middle-aged drivers traversing the same pathway through unprotected left turn intersections were examined. These driving scenarios are known to be among the riskiest and most difficult for older drivers, who demonstrated an increased range of head rotation compared to their middle-aged counterparts. These results are interpreted in the context of possible compensation for reduced fields of view.