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Crash Risk Following Return to Driving After Moderate-to-Severe TBI: A TBI Model Systems Study
Thomas Novack1, Yue Zhang, Richard Kennedy
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Drs Novack, Dreer, and Brunner and Ms Marwitz), and Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Integrative Center for Aging Research (Drs Zhang and Kennedy), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan (Dr Rapport); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Washington, Seattle (Dr Bombardier); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (Dr Bergquist); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Moss Rehabilitation/Einstein Healthcare Network, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania (Dr Watanabe); Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado (Dr Tefertiller); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, JFK Rehabilitation Institute, Edison, New Jersey (Dr Goldin); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (Dr Walker).
Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience a higher frequency of motor vehicle crashes. Factors like age and time since injury influence crash risk, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can impact cognitive and physical functions essential for safe driving.
- Understanding crash risk and associated factors post-TBI is crucial for public safety and individual well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of motor vehicle crashes among adults with moderate-to-severe TBI.
- To identify risk factors associated with crash occurrence in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, observational study design was employed.
- Data were collected via a driving survey administered to 438 adults with TBI at 1 to 30 years post-injury.
- Logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant associations.
Main Results:
- TBI participants reported 1.5 to 2.5 times the crash frequency compared to the general population.
- Age at survey, years since injury, and perceived driving skills were significantly associated with crash occurrence.
- The majority of TBI survivors who resumed driving did not report any crashes.
Conclusions:
- Crash risk appears elevated following TBI, but most survivors do not experience crashes.
- Older age and shorter time since resuming driving were linked to lower crash risk.
- While results do not support driving restrictions, identifying and addressing TBI-related crash risk factors is essential.
