Prevalence of illegal motor vehicle driving among visually impaired elderly patients in Alberta

Of 491 patients aged 65 years or older consecutively referred to a sight enhancement clinic in northern Alberta, 22 (4%) with vision below legal limits persisted in driving a motor vehicle. Significantly more men (11%) than women (1%) were driving illegally (p less than 0.00001). Among the men, a higher proportion of those aged 65 to 79 years (17%) than those aged 80 years or older (6%) were driving illegally (p less than 0.009). Many patients had several diseases, including tremor, hearing loss, heart problems and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. None had been reported to the Motor Vehicles Division. Both patients and physicians appear reluctant to acknowledge the consequences of visual disabilities. Drivers should have their vision screened regularly beginning at age 65 years. Physicians should notify the appropriate authorities when a patient can no longer drive legally and safely.