Citation

Bergoffen G, Brock J, Staplin LK. CTBSSP Synth. Ser. 2010; (18): 36p.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This synthesis provides a knowledge base regarding age-related changes in the basic functional abilities needed to drive safely that can assist industry and labor practitioners in promoting safer commercial operations. Managers of bus and truck fleets, academic and trade association researchers, and federal and state agency officials with responsibility for developing effective regulatory and incentive programs may find this report useful. The synthesis team conducted a literature review about changes in medical (functional) fitness to drive that affect older drivers generally, and older commercial drivers, specifically. Although research data on older drivers in general was found to be broad, findings for older commercial drivers appeared to be limited. One 1995 study proved useful to this synthesis study. As surveys with carriers and others in the trucking industry regarding older drivers' information yielded a low response rate, in-person telephone interviews were conducted with six carriers to gather more detailed information from industry safety managers.