|
The Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Reviews |
| Explore | New + Updated | Other languages |
|
 |
Vision screening of older drivers for preventing road traffic injuries and fatalitiesSubzwari S, Desapriya E, Babul-Wellar S, Pike I, Turcotte K, Rajabali F, Kinney J
Bookmark this:
     more ...
SummaryVision screening of older drivers to prevent road traffic injuries and deathsGood vision is critical for safe driving performance. Because vision declines with age and the percentage of older adults in the population is increasing, it has become more important to consider the vision screening needs of older adults when designing evidence-based traffic safety policy. Mandatory vision screening for the issue or renewal of a driver's licence helps to ensure that older drivers are fit to safely operate vehicles. To date, there has been no trial to demonstrate the impact of vision screening on the prevention of older driver-related crashes. However, given the importance of good vision for safe driving, vision testing remains a relevant issue for all licensed drivers.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010 Issue 1, Copyright © 2010 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This version first published online:
January 21. 2009 AbstractBackgroundDemographic data in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand suggest a rapid growth in the number of persons over the age of 65 years as the baby boomer generation passes retirement age. As older adults make up an increasing proportion of the population, they are an important consideration when designing future evidence-based traffic safety policies, particularly those that lead to restrictions or cessation of driving. Research has shown that cessation of driving among older drivers can lead to negative emotional consequences such as loss of independence and depression. Those older adults who continue to drive tend to do so less frequently than other demographic groups and are more likely to be involved in a road traffic crash, probably due to what is termed the 'low mileage bias'. There is universal agreement among researchers that vision plays a significant role in driving performance, and that there are age-related visual changes. Vision testing of all drivers, and in particular of older drivers, is therefore an important road safety issue. The components of visual function essential for driving are acuity, field, depth perception and contrast sensitivity, which are currently not fully measured by licensing agencies. Furthermore, it is not known how effective vision screening tools are, and current vision screening regulations and cut-off values required to pass a licensing test vary from country to country. There is, therefore, a need to develop evidence-based tools for vision screening for driving, thereby increasing road safety. ObjectivesTo assess the effects of vision screening interventions for older drivers to prevent road traffic injuries and fatalities. Search strategyWe searched the Cochrane Injuries Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2006, issue 3), MEDLINE, EMBASE, TRANSPORT, AgeInfo, AgeLine, the National Research Register, the Science (and Social Science) Citation Index, IBSS (International Bibliography of Social Sciences), PsycINFO, and Zetoc. We also searched the Internet and checked the reference lists of relevant papers to identify any further studies. The searches were conducted up to September 2006. Selection criteriaRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled before and after studies comparing vision screening to non-screening of drivers aged 55 years and older, and which assessed the effect on road traffic crashes, injuries, fatalities and any involvement in traffic law violations, were included. Data collection and analysisTwo authors independently screened the reference lists for eligible articles and independently assessed the articles for inclusion against the criteria. Two authors independently extracted data using a standardized extraction form. Main resultsNo studies were found which met the inclusion criteria for this review. Authors' conclusionsMost countries require a vision screening test for the renewal of an individual's driver's license. There is, however, insufficient evidence to assess the effect of vision screening tests on subsequent motor vehicle crash reduction. There is a need to develop valid and reliable tools of vision screening that can predict driving performance. |