Citation

Bell TM, Qiao N, Zarzaur BL. Traffic Injury Prev. 2015; 16(7): 669-676.

Affiliation

Indiana University School of Medicine , Department of Surgery , Indianapolis , IN.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2014.999858

PMID

25569273

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: State-level data have indicated that motor vehicle crash (MVC) fatality rates among the elderly vary widely across states. To date, the majority of states have implemented mature driver laws, which often require more frequent license renewals, in person renewal, and vision testing for drivers above a certain age. We sought to evaluate the impact of mature driver laws on states' elderly MVC fatality rates while examining other state-level determinants of MVC-related deaths.

METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional ecological study and modeled state MVC fatality rates for the population over age 65 as a function of state transportation policies, demographic, health system, population health, travel, and climate characteristics using a general linear model. Principal component analysis was used to reduce dimensionality of the data and overcome multicollinearity of state predictor variables.

RESULTS: Higher average temperature, higher gas prices, and a greater number of emergency medicine physicians to population size were significantly associated with lower MVC fatality rates. Positive predictors of MVC fatality rates were percent of population overweight or obese and percent with college degree over the age of 65. Having any restriction on elderly drivers was associated with a higher MVC fatality rate and no individual component of mature driver laws (shortened renewal cycle, in person renewal, and vision testing) was significantly associated with lower fatality MVC rates for adults over 65.

CONCLUSIONS: Mature driver laws are not associated with lower state MVC fatality rates among the elderly.

Language: en