PubMed Health⌕ Search

PubMed · 10431421

Older road users. Issues for general practitioners.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As our population ages it is anticipated that a greater number of older drivers will be on the roads. This raises the possibility of an increased number of road crashes. Predictors of increased risk of road accidents need to be identified in order for appropriate advice to be given on how to reduce the road risk. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to provide insights about the problems posed by older drivers together with practical guidance for general practitioners. DISCUSSION: Advice from medical practitioners is often heeded by older patients in relation to their ability to drive. Using resources such as Assessing Fitness to Drive will aid the GP in making an informed decision in relation to this.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

P Darzins, M Hull. 1999. Older road users. Issues for general practitioners.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10431421/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Adolescent and young adult mortality by cause: age, gender, and country, 1955 to 1994.

PURPOSE: To compare mortality rates from motor vehicle accidents (MVA), homicide, and suicide across countries, age groups, and time. METHODS: The World Health Organization Mortality Database was used to construct age- and gender-specific rates in 26 countries for individuals aged 15 to 34 years during the period 1955 to 1994. The rates were adjusted for differences among countries in the age-and-gender distributions of their populations. Cause-specific rates were compared by country, 4-year age groups, 8-year time blocks, and male/female ratios. RESULTS: The proportion of deaths in 15-34-year-olds owing to MVA, homicide, and suicide increased from 26% to 43% over the 40-year study period. Mortality rates differ by country more than time block, peak at ages 15-29 years, and are higher in males than females. Compared to the United States, 24 countries had lower homicide rates and 23 had lower MVA-death rates. CONCLUSIONS: Despite declining rates of death from other causes, the rates of adolescent and young adult death from MVA, homicide, and suicide remain high in countries throughout the world. The proportion of deaths attributable to these causes increased steadily during the latter half of the 20th century. Fatal risk behaviors begin to increase during adolescence but do not peak until age 30 years, suggesting that the target population for prevention extends well beyond the teenage years.

Accidents, Traffic↗

A new technique for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

We describe a new technique for arthroscopically assisted posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We use the TransFix (Arthrex, Naples, FL) pin to provide a single and strong tibial attachment point for the 4-stranded semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. The TransFix technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been found to give better initial fixation strength than other techniques using semitendinosus and gracilis grafts, and it provides adequate graft length for secure fixation. Strong and secure graft fixation in knee ligament reconstruction is very important for early and fast rehabilitation.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Child pedestrian injury in an urban setting: descriptive epidemiology.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of pedestrian injuries to children and adolescents (ages <20 years) in an urban setting, providing analyses of environmental and pedestrian variables. METHODS: Anonymous data were obtained for all motor vehicle crashes occurring in New York City over a seven-year period (1991-1997). RESULTS: Among 693,283 crashes, 97,245 resulted in injuries to 100,261 pedestrians, of whom 32,578 were under the age of 20. Using census counts for the denominator, the overall incidence of pediatric pedestrian injuries was 246/100,000 per year, and the case fatality rate was 0.6%. Incidence rates peaked in the 6-14-year age group, and showed a modest annual decline during the study period. Younger children were more likely to be struck mid-block and during daylight hours, whereas adolescents were more likely to be struck at intersections and at night. For younger children, there was a sharp peak in incidence during the summer months. Road and weather conditions did not appear to affect injury risk. CONCLUSIONS: These results help identify priorities for child pedestrian injury prevention and education, inform public health policy, and direct emergency medical health services resource allocation.

Accidents, Traffic↗