Reaction preparation helps to anticipate upcoming reactions while driving, which is crucial for the lane change task (LCT) as it allows the steering manoeuvre to be performed faster and more accurately. Preparatory information shortens the RT and changes the dynamics of the steering manoeuvre. However, additional irrelevant information can significantly influence the preparation phase. In the current study, the influence of salient (irrelevant) additional information on younger and older drivers during lane changes was investigated. The main factors investigated in the current study were,u the occurrence of the additional information before the cue or before the reaction signal and the congruence of the additional information (compatible or incompatible with the direction of the lane change). Consistent with previous findings on LCT performance research, preparatory information reduced RT in drivers of both age groups and influenced the speed profile of the steering wheel angle. In the current study, the steering speed profile shortened especially at the beginning of the steering manoeuvre. Congruent (incongruent) additional information caused RT facilitations (increases), whereby the congruence effect with regard to the cue was lower than with regard to the reaction signal. Older participants generally showed longer RTs, higher congruency effects and a lower effect on the speed profile. The results suggest that preparation processes are strongly influenced by irrelevant information before the target than before the cue and this effect was more pronounced among older participants. Implications for advanced driver assistance systems will be discussed.