A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE MEDICAL AND FUNCTIONAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE CRASHES BY OLDER ADULTS

The objective of this study was to examine associations between medical and functional variables and at-fault car crashes in a cohort of older drivers. The participants were older drivers (ages 55-90 years) residing in Jefferson County, Alabama (n=174) who had at least one at-fault crash in the previous 6 years; controls were crash-free during the same period. The measurements included self-reported medical conditions, reported and observed functional measures, and urinary drug screens. Ninety-nine older drivers experienced between one and seven at-fault vehicle crashes during the period 1985 through 1991, whereas 75 drivers did not. Logistic regression models indicated that the following variables were independently associated with crash involvement: a 40% or greater reduction in the useful field of view, black race, a history of falling in the previous 2 years, and not taking a beta-blocking drug. It is concluded that functional assessments, such as a comprehensive test of visual processing, a falls history, and a review of current medications may be of greater relevance than specific medical conditions in the identification of older at risk drivers. If prospective studies determine that falling and crashing share risk factors, a unified approach to the prevention of these mobility disorders could result. The finding of an independent association of black race with at-fault crashing is in need of further clarification because of the low representation of black drivers in this sample.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00028614
• Corporate Authors:

  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

  428 East Preston Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202
• Authors:
  • Sims, R V
  • Owsley, C
  • Allman, R M
  • Ball, K
  • Smoot, T M
• Publication Date: 1998-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 556-561
• Serial:
  • Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Blackwell Publishers
  • ISSN: 0002-8614
  • EISSN: 1532-5415
  • Serial URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1532-5415

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Blacks; Fall; Health; Medication; Traffic crashes; Urine; Visual perception
• Uncontrolled Terms: At-fault traffic accidents; Beta-blockers; Field of view; Self-reports
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00769549
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 2 1999 12:00AM