Motor vehicle licences and myocardial infarction

Health standards for truck drivers are higher than those for the general motoring public, particularly concerning the need to restrict driving following recovery from a myocardial infarction. An analysis of risk shows that at most 12 Ontario truckers would develop a fatal recurrence of infarction in any given year, and that most if not all of these would have sufficient warning of the recurrence to stop their vehicle safely. In terms of reducing traffic fatalities, the control of alcohol and drug abuse would be at least two orders more effective than the imposition of restrictions upon patients who have recovered from a myocardial infarction.