Assisting the older driver - SWOV

Theoretical framework to identify needs for support
players attach to the outcome of the game, 2) how many times the game is or
will be played, and 3) the number of players involved. In traffic, the first
factor is probably determined to a large extent by the desired driving speed,
driving style, and state of mind (e.g., relaxed, in a hurry, irritated, tired). The
number of times the game is played may influence the willingness to
cooperate through the principle of tit for tat: if I have made room for another
driver twice, I will not do it for the third time. The number of players that is
involved in the game predominantly influences the complexity of the
comparative assessment the drivers have to make.
4.5.2. Strengths and weaknesses of older drivers according to game
theory
The traffic situation which was described in the previous section clearly
explains the principles of game theory. However, it is not very useful for a
description of the strengths and weaknesses of the older driver, especially if
its purpose is to identify needs for support. After all, crashes on narrow
roads which are caused by drivers who are not willing to make room for
each other are not very common among older drivers. A traffic situation that
applies more to the difficulties older drivers encounter in traffic is one in
which several road users approach the same intersection and have to decide
in which order they will cross the intersection. This situation will be used to
identify the strengths and weaknesses of older people as they interact with
others (see Heijer & Wiersma (2001) for a similar approach).
When approaching a major road, each of the road users will look around to
see which other road users have arrived at the intersection at the same time,
how they behave, in what way they pose a threat (i.e., mass and speed of
their vehicle), and who has priority according to the traffic rules. Based on
this information, the road users will work out who will be the first one to
cross the intersection, who will be next, and when it will be their turn. For a
safe transaction it is important that every road user can see all the other road
users and that everyone knows what is expected of him. These preconditions
will not always be satisfied. Age‐related functional limitations such as
declines in selective and divided attention, and reduced detection of
movement may make it more difficult for older drivers to observe and
interpret the behaviour of other road users. They may compensate for these
limitations by approaching the intersection at a lower speed, which will give
them more time to view the others and decide what to do. Fellow road users
may very well misinterpret this behaviour. They may think the older driver
is being polite or is just complying with the traffic rules and expect that he
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