CHARACTERISTICS OF ELDERLY SUBMITTED TO DRIVER LICENSE TESTS

Abstract

A quantitative, descriptive and retrospective study was undertaken to screen for the characteristics of elderly people who took the physical and mental aptitude test to get the Brazilian driver license. Data were collected from 1023 forms of elderly aged ≥ 60 years at a clinic for traffic medicine in Curitiba-PR. The predominant characteristics were men (n=713; 69.7%), between 60 and 64.9 years of age (n=418; 40.9%), medicine use (n=621; 60.7%), overweight (n=419; 41%) and reduced visual acuity (n=573; 56%). As regards the aptitude to drive, 216 (21.1%) were considered apt; 803 (78.5%) apt with restriction and four (0.4%) temporarily inapt. Most elderly drivers are young elderly, male with restriction to drive due to the use of corrective lenses. The results offer support to advance on the theme in studies intended to improve the elderly’s assessments and, consequently, contribute to safer traffic

Keywords

• Aged
• Automobile Driver Examination
• Automobile Driving
• Geriatric Nursing