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Frequent falling and motor vehicle collision involvement of older drivers
Carrie Huisingh1, Gerald McGwin, Katherine A Orman
1Center for Clinical and Translational Science, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Objectives:
To examine the relationship between frequent falls in older drivers and motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Setting:
North central Alabama.
Participants:
Population-based sample of 2,000 licensed drivers aged 70 and older.
Measurements:
Self-reported history of falling two or more times in the prior year was the main predictor. Outcomes were any MVC or at-fault MVC in the prior year.
Results:
Approximately 9% of older drivers reported having fallen two or more times in the prior year. Logistic regression models indicated that frequent falling was associated with having any MVC (crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77-3.02) and an at-fault MVC (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 0.97-5.06). Adjustment for the potentially confounding effects of demographic, health, visual, and driving characteristics did not meaningfully affect the association with any MVC, whereas the association with at-fault MVC was weakened (adjusted OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 0.84-4.90).
Conclusion:
Frequent falling was associated with at-fault MVC involvement of older drivers, especially whites. History of falling can be used to identify individuals at risk of MVC involvement and to begin a dialogue about driver safety.
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