Highway crash rates and age-related driver limitations: Literature review and evaluation of data bases

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10149328· OSTI ID:10149328

Hu, P. S. ^[1]; Young, J. R. ^[2]; Lu, An ^[3]

---

1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Tennessee Univ., Knoxville, TN (United States)
3. Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc., TN (United States)

American society is undergoing a major demographic transformation that is resulting in a larger proportion of older individuals in the population. Moreover, recent travel surveys show that an increasing number of older individuals are licensed to drive and that they drive more than their same age cohort a decade ago. However, they continue to take shorter trips than younger drivers and they avoid driving during congested hours. This recent demographic transformation in our society, the graying of America, coupled with the increasing mobility of the older population impose a serious highway safety issue that cannot be overlooked. Some of the major concerns are the identification of ``high-risk`` older drivers and the establishment of licensing guidelines and procedures that are based on conclusive scientific evidence. Oak Ridge National Laboratory`s (ORNL) objectives in this project can be characterized by the following tasks: Review and evaluate the 1980 American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) licensing guidelines. Determine whether the license restriction recommended in the 1980 AAMVA and NHTSA guidelines was based on scientific evidence or on judgement of medical advisors. Identify in the scientific literature any medical conditions which are found to be highly associated with highway crashes, and which are not mentioned in the 1980 guidelines. Summarize States` current licensing practices for drivers with age-related physical and mental limitations. Identify potential data sources to establish conclusive evidence on age-related functional impairments and highway crashes.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Department of Transportation, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 10149328
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-12456; ON: DE94011605
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: Aug 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ELDERLY PEOPLE
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
ROADS
ROAD TRANSPORT
LIFE CYCLE
DATA BASE MANAGEMENT
LICENSING REGULATIONS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
570000
320203
HEALTH AND SAFETY
LAND AND ROADWAY