Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

The impending increase in the proportion of drivers over 65 years of age has engaged the attention of driver licensing agencies. Since medical problems that can affect driving fitness are more common in the older driver, detecting the medically-at-risk driver is a major concern. This paper examines the medical records of the driving population of Québec in order to ascertain the prevalence of medical conditions among drivers as well as the self-reporting rates for the over-75 drivers who are subjected to mandatory medical reviews. The 70-79 age-group of drivers is the youngest group where the majority of drivers have a medical condition believed to affect driving fitness. Few of the over-75 drivers self-report their medical conditions so that medical reports from physicians are a more reliable source of medical information for the driving licence agency. These conclusions support mandatory age-based medical reviews for drivers over 75.

Jamie Dow, Michel Gaudet, Émilie Turmel