Mobility Impairments in Crash-Involved Older Drivers

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate potential associations of impairments in physical function with motor vehicle crash involvement in older drivers. Methods:Case participants were randomly selected residents of Mobile County, Alabama, = 65 years old who had sustained an at-fault motor vehicle crash in 1996. Similarly selected crash-free controls were frequency matched to cases on gender and age. Self-report data on demographic variables, medical conditions, medications, driving exposure, and function were collected by telephone interviewers. Results:Relative to crash-free subjects, crash-involved drivers were significantly more likely to report difficulty walking 1/4 mile and moving outdoors. Marginally significant associations were observed for trouble carrying a heavy object 100 yards and for the occurrence of falls in the prior year. Increasing numbers of functional limitations were directly related to the odds of crash involvement. Discussion:In comparison to crash-free controls, crash-involved older drivers are more likely to report other mobility-related impairments, possibly including falls.