August 25, 2009
MindWare
Bruce Eisner

DriveSharp by Posit Science Software Designed to Improve Drivers’ Minds — Windows and Macintosh

In the last post, we looked at a video about this DriveSharp. DriveSharp is driver’s training with a difference.

There have been other programs including driving simulators that teach you about the rules and regulations of driving, DriveSharp teaches a focused set of mental skills essential in good driving.

DriveSharp an extremely easy to use program (and fun) program that runs on both Windows and Mac home computers.

The program includes two exercises – Jewel Diver and Road Tour that have the look and feel of a high end video game. But these games are based on hard scientific data on what it takes to be a good driver.

The software also provides you with constant feedback and progress reports.

DriveSharp is endorsed and distributed by the prestigious Foundation for Traffic Safety of the American Automobile Association (AAA). Here is what how the AAA describes this software:

“We think DriveSharp is a great product to help people improve their driving decisions, especially in hazardous conditions,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “And DriveSharp has been scientifically validated to safely extend driving years.”

According to studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, using this technology cuts a person’s risk of an accident by 50 percent and speeds up how a driver processes what they see and how they react by 200 percent.

“Many brain functions including the visual behaviors that support good driving decline as we grow older, but that doesn’t mean the brain can’t be rejuvenated,” said world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Michael Merzenich, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Posit Science. “Using DriveSharp, visual skills supporting safer driving can be very significantly improved for almost all adult drivers. The AAAF’s review of this science has led them to endorse this training for adult drivers”

DriveSharp is not only for the the elderly but is useful for boomers, according to Posit Science. After trying it myself, I would add that that it might be worthwhile for some attention disordered teens and young adults to take DriveSharp.