Assisting the older driver - SWOV

Theoretical framework to identify needs for support
characteristic, these constitutional features can improve competence, but in
case of mental or physical impairments they will generally deteriorate
driving competence. Driving competence emerges from training, education
and experience. Fuller (2000) refers to competence as the driver’s attainment
in the range of skills broadly described as roadcraft, a concept which
includes control skills, ability to read the road (hazard detection and
recognition), and anticipatory and defensive driving skills.
Figure 4.1. Fullerʹs task‐capability interface model (Fuller, 2001).
A driver’s actual (momentary) capability is not necessarily equal to his or her
competence. Competence sets a limit on capability. However, capability may
be further challenged by a range of variables which are collectively called
human factors. These include fatigue, emotions, alcohol and other drugs,
stress, distraction and level of motivation to perform the driving task
optimally (Fuller, 2000). These human factors can be variable or temporary,
whereas constitutional features are more or less fixed. The latter will only
change as a result of disorders, diseases or age‐related functional limitations.
The task demand of the traffic situation at hand is determined by the
environment (i.e., road design, weather conditions, presence of buildings
and/or trees), the vehicle one is driving in, driving speed, and the presence
and behaviour of other road users. An example of an environmental element
that can influence task demands are skew intersection angles; they reduce the
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