Near peripheral motion detection threshold correlates with self-reported failures of attention in younger and older drivers

Motion contrast thresholds for 0.4 cycle/degree drifting Gabor stimuli were assessed at 15° eccentricity in the right and left visual fields for 16 younger drivers (ages 24-42), and 15 older drivers (ages 65-84), using a temporal two-alternative forced choice staircase procedure. Two self-report questionnaires that assess failures of attention while driving—the Driver Perception Questionnaire (DPQ5), and an abridged Aging Driver Questionnaire (ADQ15)—were administered. The three UFOV^® subtests of attention and processing speed were also administered. Mean peripheral motion contrast threshold (PMCT) of older drivers was significantly higher than that of younger drivers. When controlling for age, PMCT thresholds correlated significantly with both DPQ5 and ADQ15 while the UFOV^® subtests were found not to correlate with PMCT results. The potential value of the PMCT as an assessment of drivers’ hazard detection capacity is discussed.