Driving ability of aphasic and non-aphasic brain-damaged patients

The driving ability of brain-damaged patients was examined by psychometric tests and a comprehensive practical on-road driving test in a study with 36 aphasic and 29 non-aphasic patients. The results suggest the following conclusions: (1) the driving ability of brain-damaged patients can not be reliably judged from the performances in the psychometric tests used; (2) according to the results of the practical driving test, driving behaviour is impaired in a significantly higher proportion of the aphasic compared to the non-aphasic patients. Although the multiple correlation of correct performance in nine categories of driving behaviour with the driving instructor's global rating was substantial, individual predictions were far from perfect; (3) there is a significant interaction between the presence of aphasia, age, and practical driving ability, indicating that aphasic patients of advanced age tend to fail the driving test; (4) the patients' own judgement of their driving ability proves to be unreliable.