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Almatar H, Alamri S, Alduhayan R, Alabdulkader B, Albdah B, Stalin A, Alsomaie B, Almazroa A. Visual Functions, Seatbelt Usage, Speed, and Alcohol Consumption Standards for Driving and Their Impact on Road Traffic Accidents. Clin Optom (Auckl) 2023; 15:225-246. [PMID: 37814654 PMCID: PMC10560477 DOI: 10.2147/opto.s422635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The incidence of road traffic accidents (RTAs) is dramatically increasing worldwide. Consequently, driving and licensing authorities have instituted strict rules and regulations, such as vision standards, restrictions on drunk driving, seat belt usage, and speeding, for driving safety. This study aimed to summarize the global visual standards for driving license issuing and renewal and investigate the effect of driving safety laws on RTA-related death rates in different countries. Methods The study gathered data on visual standards for driving licenses from reliable sources and extracted enforcement scores (drunk driving, seat belt usage, and speeding) and RTA-related death rates from the World Health Organization status report on road safety. The Wilcoxon test explored the association between visual standards and RTA-related death rates, while the Kruskal-Wallis test analyzed the relationship between visual functions and death rates, as well as driving safety enforcement scores and RTA-related death rates. Results The analysis was conducted on 71 countries and 50 states within the United States out of the 193 countries listed by the United Nations. It was found that 116 countries and states required a minimum VA range of 6/6-6/18, while 91 countries and states mandated a similar range for one-eyed drivers. VF testing for driving licenses was necessary in 77 countries and states. No significant association was observed between VA or VF testing and RTA-related death rates. However, countries that conducted more visual function tests demonstrated lower rates of RTA-related fatalities. Furthermore, RTA-related death rates were significantly associated with speeding, drunk driving, and seat belt laws. Conclusion Implementing clear policies regarding vision requirements, maintaining strict rules, and promoting law enforcement on speeding, drunk driving, and seat belt usage are crucial for improving road safety. These measures should be prioritized by driving and licensing authorities worldwide to mitigate the escalating incidence of RTAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hessa Almatar
- Department of Imaging Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, 14611, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suhailah Alamri
- Department of Imaging Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, 14611, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reema Alduhayan
- Department of Imaging Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, 14611, Saudi Arabia
| | - Balsam Alabdulkader
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bayan Albdah
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, 14611, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, King Abdullah International Medical Research center, Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amritha Stalin
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Barrak Alsomaie
- Department of Imaging Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, 14611, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Almazroa
- Department of Imaging Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, 14611, Saudi Arabia
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Joyce NR, Khan MA, Zullo AR, Pfeiffer MR, Metzger KB, Margolis SA, Ott BR, Curry AE. Distance From Home to Motor Vehicle Crash Location: Implications for License Restrictions Among Medically-At-Risk Older Drivers. J Aging Soc Policy 2022:1-15. [PMID: 36463560 PMCID: PMC10239525 DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2022.2145791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
In 30 states, licensing agencies can restrict the distance from home that "medically-at-risk" drivers are permitted to drive. However, where older drivers crash relative to their home or how distance to crash varies by medical condition is unknown. Using geocoded crash locations and residential addresses linked to Medicare claims, we describe how the relationship between distance from home to crash varies by driver characteristics. We find that a majority of crashes occur within a few miles from home with little variation across driver demographics or medical conditions. Thus, distance restrictions may not reduce crash rates among older adults, and the tradeoff between safety and mobility warrants consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina R. Joyce
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health
- Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research, Brown University School of Public Health
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Marzan A. Khan
- Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research, Brown University School of Public Health
| | - Andrew R. Zullo
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health
- Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research, Brown University School of Public Health
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health
- Center of Innovation in Longterm Services and Supports, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Melissa R. Pfeiffer
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Kristina B. Metzger
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Seth A. Margolis
- Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Brian R. Ott
- Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Allison E. Curry
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
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Madden JR, Perkins SE. Why did the pheasant cross the road? Long-term road mortality patterns in relation to management changes. R Soc Open Sci 2017; 4:170617. [PMID: 29134073 PMCID: PMC5666256 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are commonly killed on UK roads, presenting a threat to motorists and a loss to the game shooting industry. Pheasants may be inherently susceptible, or the recent increase in their artificial rearing and release may have exacerbated the situation, either through population increases or because artificial rearing has altered movement behaviour. We compared intra-annual patterns of roadkill reported in the UK from the 1960s (prior to the onset of mass release programmes) with that from the 2010s (when pheasant release was well established and widespread), considering roadkill sex and locations and accounting for changes in traffic levels. Pheasants in the UK are disproportionately likely to be reported killed on roads. However, this likelihood has not changed notably over the past 50 years. Instead, the timing of roadkill has changed. Pheasants in the 2010s are no longer susceptible during their breeding season, unlike in the 1960s, perhaps because relatively few breed successfully. Instead, roadkill first peaks in September-November as pheasants disperse from release pens, females first. Roadkill declines over winter, but when supplementary feeding ceases in February, we see a second peak in roadkill. Roadkill rates are higher in regions of the UK where there is little arable farming and hence natural food supplies are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joah R. Madden
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
- Author for correspondence: Joah R. Madden e-mail:
| | - Sarah E. Perkins
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
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Rudisill TM, Zhu M, Abate M, Davidov D, Delagarza V, Long DL, Sambamoorthi U, Thornton JD. Characterization of drug and alcohol use among senior drivers fatally injured in U.S. motor vehicle collisions, 2008-2012. Traffic Inj Prev 2016; 17:788-95. [PMID: 27027152 PMCID: PMC5039044 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2016.1165809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adults 65 years of age and older comprise the fastest growing demographic in the United States. As substance use is projected to increase in this population, there is concern that more seniors will drive under the influence of impairing drugs. The purpose of this analysis was to characterize the drug and alcohol usage among senior drivers fatally injured (FI) in traffic collisions. METHODS Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System were analyzed from 2008 to 2012. Commonly used classes and specific drugs were explored. Rates of drug use, multiple drugs, concomitant drug and alcohol use, and alcohol use alone were generated using Poisson regression with robust error variance estimation. Rates were compared to a reference population of FI middle-aged drivers (30 to 50 years old) using rate ratios. RESULTS Drug use among FI senior drivers occurred in 20.0% of those tested. Among drug-positive FI senior drivers, narcotics and depressants were frequent. The prevalence of testing positive for any drug, multiple drugs, combined drug and alcohol, and alcohol use alone among FI seniors were 47% less (relative risk [RR] = 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47, 0.62), 59% less (RR = 0.41, 95% CI, 0.34, 0.51), 87% less (RR = 0.13, 95% CI, 0.09, 0.19), and 77% less (RR = 0.23, 95% CI, 0.19, 0.28), respectively, compared to FI middle-aged drivers. CONCLUSIONS Though overall drug use is less common among FI senior drivers relative to FI middle-aged drivers, driving under the influence of drugs may be a relevant traffic safety concern in a portion of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni M. Rudisill
- Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University, PO BOX 9151, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Motao Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University, PO BOX 9151, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
- Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, PO BOX 9151, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Marie Abate
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, PO BOX 9520, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Danielle Davidov
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Social and Behavioral Sciences, PO BOX 9151, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Vincent Delagarza
- School of Medicine, West Virginia University, PO BOX 8059, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - D. Leann Long
- Department of Biostatistics, West Virginia University, PO BOX 9151, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Usha Sambamoorthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, West Virginia University, PO BOX 9510, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA, 26506
| | - J. Doug Thornton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, West Virginia University, PO BOX 9510, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA, 26506
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Lee S, Jeong BY. Comparisons of Traffic Collisions between Expressways and Rural Roads in Truck Drivers. Saf Health Work 2016; 7:38-42. [PMID: 27014489 PMCID: PMC4792911 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Truck driving is known as one of the occupations with the highest accident rate. This study investigates the characteristics of traffic collisions according to road types (expressway and rural road). METHODS Classifying 267 accidents into expressway and rural road, we analyzed them based on driver characteristics (age, working experience, size of employment), time characteristics (day of accident, time, weather), and accident characteristics (accident causes, accident locations, accident types, driving conditions). RESULTS When we compared the accidents by road conditions, no differences were found between the driver characteristics. However, from the accident characteristics, the injured person distributions were different by the road conditions. In particular, driving while drowsy is shown to be highly related with the accident characteristics. CONCLUSION This study can be used as a guideline and a base line to develop a plan of action to prevent traffic accidents. It can also help to prepare formal regulations about a truck driver's vehicle maintenance and driving attitude for a precaution on road accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangbok Lee
- Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Yong Jeong
- Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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