The study, which is documented in a paper found in the November edition of the , used brain-training software to offer exercises to 908 older drivers averaging 73 in age.

Two exercises included “speed-of-processing” and “reasoning” and were both deemed successful. In fact, the study found that participants who underwent both training exercises had at-fault-accident rates drop to 50 percent lower than that of the control group (those who did not use the programs).

While the group acknowledged that more research is needed to understand the effects of different types and quantities of training, the 25.5 million combined miles driven among the mature drivers participating in the study helped them determine that the program could indeed have a direct and positive effect on the roads and with auto insurance.

The Connection to Auto Insurance
While elderly motorists are typically categorized under high-risk auto insurance, the group believes that training them could change this perception by lowering their rate of at-fault accidents. The makers of the training software had already started a partnership in 2008 with a major car insurance provider to launch their InSight Program, which helped elderly drivers improve their visual alertness.

Between this program and the brain training software, the makers hope to eventually offer auto insurance discounts to drivers who complete them. This could offer financial benefits to senior drivers, claims payout benefits to auto insurers and safety benefits to drivers on the road.