Citation

Koppel S, Charlton J, Langford J, Odell M, Fildes BN. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2004; 8(2).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to examine the literature critically regarding the influence of psychiatric illnesses on involvement in motor vehicle crashes and other indicators of driving risk. The quality of evidence was rated using broad principles underpinning evidence-based science (NHMRC, 1995). Three relevant studies were identified, with the evidence showing that drivers with a known history of psychiatric illness were found to have a significantly elevated risk of crashing compared to their respective control groups (relative risk ranged from 1.57 to 2.89). Methodological issues such as reporting bias, power and confounding factors including poor exposure measures are also discussed. The review of the evidence for crash risk was compared with relevant guidelines for fitness to drive from selected jurisdictions.