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At least 1,243 records · Page 69Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Acute and hang-over effects of alcohol on simulated driving performance.

The aim was to study hang-over effects from alcohol in simulated driving. The driving task was to negotiate 20 km in as short time as possible. The road had many curves, horizontal and vertical, with ice friction at irregular intervals. 24 healthy volunteers, aged 22-46, with valid driving licenses, all screened as moderate drinkers, participated as subjects in a repeated measurements design. In the acute intoxicated state (average BAC 150 mg%), driving performance was severely impaired. Performance was also impaired, but to a much lesser degree, in the morning after the alcohol consumption when average BAC was just below 40 mg%. Later during the day no significant differences were demonstrated. After another night's sleep, all effects were gone. An issue raised in a previous study on hang-over effects, whether the subjects were treated exactly alike in the hang-over and the control conditions the night before testing (with the exception for the alcohol consumption in the first case), that is attended a party and stayed overnight at the research institute in both conditions, or whether they did so only in the hang-over condition, did not seem to matter for the estimated hang-over effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Diabetes and the license to drive.

People with diabetes are subject to restrictive licensing policies that bar them from driving certain types of motor vehicles. Discriminatory rules regarding the license to drive are based mainly on concerns that treatment with blood glucose-lowering agents, especially insulin--may induce episodes of altered consciousness due to hypoglycemia. The risk of hypoglycemia, however, differs greatly among insulin-requiring diabetics and it is not difficult to identify those few who present a substantial risk. Moreover, the advent of simple, portable devices for blood glucose self-monitoring allows diabetics to know when blood glucose levels are becoming low and to take prompt corrective action. Thus, it would seem that blanket rules prohibiting diabetics from driving certain types of vehicles are unfair and unwarranted. In view of these considerations, rules are being revised by some licensing agencies to eliminate blanket restrictions and to allow for case-by-case evaluations to determine medical qualifications of people with diabetes. Tight control of diabetes currently is being advocated widely as a means of preventing chronic complications, but it carries an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Physicians who institute tight control regimens must ensure that patients understand the potential risk of hypoglycemia and are capable of minimizing the risk. Physicians should report patients to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) who, in their judgement, are unable to drive safely because of concerns about hypoglycemia. Wisconsin state law protects physicians who make such reports from liability.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1990

[Arrhythmias during automobile driving in patients after acute myocardial infarction].

In 90 patients after acute whole-thickness myocardial infarction suffered 3-48 months earlier 24-hour ECG recording was done for assessment of arrhythmias occurring while they were driving cars and for their comparison with the remaining recording hours. In most patients driving cars episodes of sinus tachycardia even up to 130/min were noted, in about half the patients some increase occurred in the frequency of ventricular ectopic beats, in two patients double and in one patient triple ectopic beats (salvoes) appeared, although they had not been recorded when the patients were not driving cars. The study was carried out (and is still continued) in autumn-winter, when the conditions of car driving were worse. None of the patients was in a collision-threatening situation which could increase dangerous arrhythmias.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Driver's license and driving fitness after introduction of driver's permit on probation. Considerations and arguments in traffic psychology].

The discussion on topics like post-schooling and rehabilitation of motorists has intensified the contacts between advocates of traffic law and traffic psychologists in the last years. Since the driver's licence on probation has been introduced, the points of contact between driving licence law and theory of driver's qualification have become more distinctly visible. In the legal institution of driver's licence on probation the driving licence law relies on the changeability of the driving beginner by means of post-schooling. This continues the development of the legal aim of improvement besides the prevention. The concept of "changeability" has entered into the expert opinion on driver's qualification since the middle of the 1970's and it has been tested in the psychological rehabilitation of motorists. It is widely realized, that the inherited idea of 'character' is not useful for a flexible guaranty of traffic safety by an administrative authority. The driving qualification rather has to be seen as a biographical quantity. Motorists are submitted to a change of experience. Among conspicuous drivers the risk of a renewed conspicuousness is in the centre of view. There are possibilities of influence on this risk with some measures. The author shows the basis and the consequences of this concept of a biographical qualification. It bases on the concept of a driver, who is able to learn and is self-responsible and who needs specific back-channel informations. But the author also shows the limits of changeability of a motor-driver.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1988

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.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Acquired brain damage and driving: a review.

Five issues in evaluating driving ability after brain damage were addressed through a review of the literature. Some preliminary conclusions were reached: (1) about half of all subjects studied still hold a valid driver's license; (2) brain-damaged drivers could not, in general, be seen as risky drivers, although some individuals show decreased driving skill and risky behavior in traffic; and (3) statistics show no increase in traffic violations or accidents in groups of neurologic patients with acquired brain lesions or diseases. Frequently noted problems of brain-damaged drivers include poor judgment of traffic situations, impulsivity, and visuospatial impairments. Traditional psychologic tests have insufficient predictive value regarding fitness to drive. It is suggested that new techniques be developed to enable more valid statements about the skills needed for safe traffic participation. These assessment techniques should emphasize the higher cognitive levels in driving, ie, the tactical and strategic levels. At the moment, driver training programs in rehabilitation focus mainly on the operational level, with emphasis on handling the car, use of controls and mirrors, and technical adaptation of the vehicle.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1978

[Schizophrenia and the ability to drive].

Based on the files of the Zurich Forensic Medicine Institute, the driving ability of 100 clinically and diagnostically proven schizophrenic cases was studied with the aid of case histories, police and traffic records and personal statements. The data obtained were compared with a healthy control group of equal age and sex. The schizophrenics showed significantly inferior driving performance to the control group over a six-year observation period. The schizophrenics could be divided into sub-groups whose performances varied significantly. The basic character of the patients and the type and degree of delusions had an important bearing on their driving records. The results were especially unfavorable in those with religious type delusions, but favorable in those with a cautious, anxious character. The driving ability test should be administered by an experienced medical expert. Besides investigation of the actual sickness, the basic character and the total personality of the patient should always be considered.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1984

Improved driving performance following perceptual training in persons with brain damage.

This study investigated (1) the modifiability of perceptual deficits by simple paper-and-pencil exercises, and (2) the effects of such exercises on driving performance. Eight subjects with acquired brain damage were given 8 to 10 hours of perceptual training. The training was preceded and followed by repeated evaluations of perceptual skills and in-traffic driving performance. Results indicated that (1) perceptual skills improved following such training, (2) the training was associated with improved driving performance, and (3) the degree of driving-performance improvement was directly related to the degree of improvement of perceptual skills.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Attention and driving. Assessment in elderly individuals with dementia.

Older drivers with dementia are involved in more crashes than healthy older drivers. Some investigators, therefore, have proposed that a diagnosis of dementia (DAT or other type) should lead to the automatic revocation of a driver's license. In the authors' view, however, renewal of license should be based on criteria related to driving competence rather than solely on chronologic age or a medical diagnosis. Unfortunately, current competency testing procedures do not assess the attentional factors discussed herewith that have been found to be important for safe driving. As the studies reviewed in this article reveal, there is good evidence that a skill test that predicts crash involvement in older drivers should incorporate attentional measures, in particular tests of attentional shifting based on dichotic listening and related tests. There is also evidence that attention-shifting measures are diagnostic of attention impairment in the early stages of Alzheimer-type dementia. Further research is needed to determine whether other attentional skills, such as sustained and divided attention, also need to be assessed. Additional work also is needed to refine attention tests for ease of use in the clinical setting. Lastly, although these attention measures account for only some of the variance contributing to crash involvement, they may allow for better predictive capability when combined with measures of other skills involved in driving. Driver training programs can complement driver testing procedures in serving the dual requirement for reducing crash risk among drivers with dementia while continuing to be responsive to their mobility needs. Information on the role of attention and other cognitive skills in safe driving should be made available, so that drivers (or their family members) who think they may have declining skills can seek further evaluation. Organizations such as automobile associations and retired persons groups can provide self-assessment inventories for completion by older drivers or referral for medical and neuropsychological evaluation. Finally, training techniques for improving attentional skills in drivers with DAT need to be developed and tested.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Methamphetamine and driving impairment.

Following a review of the effects of methamphetamine on human performance, actual driving and behavior were evaluated in 28 cases in which drivers arrested or killed in traffic accidents had tested positive for methamphetamine. The circumstances surrounding the arrest or accident were examined, together with any observations by the arresting officer regarding behavioral irregularities. The investigators also made a determination of culpability. Most of the arrests resulted from accidents in which the driver was determined to be culpable. Typical driving behaviors included drifting out of the lane of travel, erratic driving, weaving, speeding, drifting off the road, and high speed collisions. Behavioral manifestations of methamphetamine use in arrestees included rapid or confused speech, rapid pulse, agitation, paranoia, dilated pupils, violet or aggressive attitude. Combined alcohol and methamphetamine use was uncommon, however use of marijuana was evident in about one third of the cases. In addition to impairing judgment and increasing risk taking, the effects of withdrawal from methamphetamine use including fatigue, hypersomnnolence, and depression are likely contributors to many of these accidents. A consideration of the literature and the cases discussed here, leads to the conclusion that methamphetamine at any concentration is likely to produce symptoms that are inconsistent with safe driving.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Neurophysiological and neuropsychological monitoring of fatigue during extreme environmental and driving conditions.

Aim of the present study was to evaluate the modifications of neurophysiological and neuropsychological variables during extreme environmental and driving conditions. Eight subjects (four drivers and four passengers) were evaluated while driving a four wheels drive across the Big West Algerian Erg. The following procedures were carried out in basal conditions and at the end of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th day of driving: surface EMG of masseter and cervical para-spinal muscles during maximum isometric contraction lasting 12 sec; test of simple visual and acoustic reaction times, Cancellation test, Trial Making test. As from the second day, the drivers used appropriate dental plates. In the drivers, EMG spectrum analysis revealed a significant decrease in mean frequency values at the end of the 1st day. This finding was more relevant in masseter muscles. No significant fatigue phenomena were detected on the subsequent controls. On the contrary, the passengers showed a decrease in mean EMG frequency values. No significant modifications in the cognitive variables were detected at the end of the 1st day (initial response to stress), whereas a progressive worsening was observed in the subsequent evaluations. EMG fatigue of masseter muscles seems to be more related to psychic stress. The beneficial effects of the dental plates were also confirmed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A longitudinal study of social, psychological and behavioural factors associated with drunken driving and public drunkenness.

Studies on psychosocial conditions in drunken drivers have generally been cross-sectional and based on rather small selected samples. The objective of this study was to analyse, in a longitudinal perspective, the relationship, in young males, between social and psychological factors and indicators of alcohol abuse on one hand and the risk of subsequent drunken driving and public drunkenness on the other hand, in order to identify similarities and differences in risk factor patterns. Questionnaire information from 8122 military conscripts in 1969/70 was linked to data on drunken driving and public drunkenness for 495 males with offences registered up to 1977. Logistic regression analysis showed that the relative risk (RR) for high alcohol consumption, smoking, use of narcotics and sniffing of solvents had a statistically significant association to subsequent drunken driving and public drunkenness in univariate analyses. In multivariate logistic analyses, RR remained increased for those with fathers belonging to social class II and especially so for those coming from social class III. Smoking (RR 3.3, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.6-6.8) was significantly increased in drunken drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or more at apprehension, as was truancy or contact with police or juvenile authorities in drunken drivers with a BAC of 0.05-0.15%, and illicit drug use, intoxication drinking, contact with police or juvenile authorities and hangover with public drunkenness. Thus, we found that early social and behavioural factors, substance abuse and risky use of alcohol were predictors for both drunken driving and public drunkenness, with no marked differences in risk factor patterns.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Epilepsy and driving license regulations in Slovenia.

In Slovenia, an independent European state since 1991, with an area of 20,000 km2 and about 2 million inhabitants-the driving license regulations of former Yugoslavia are still valid. These regulations are very restrictive, requiring a seizure-free period of at least two years without any anti-epileptic drug for private driving. For vocational driving the ban is permanent. In practice epileptologists do not abide by the law (at least as far as private drivers are concerned) and they allow driving if clinical conditions are good and despite therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Aging, dementia and automobile driving].

According to Norwegian law, drivers 70 years and older must carry a health certificate. This is issued by a general practitioner. If the patient is not supposed to drive because of a medical condition, the doctor should report this to the County Health Officer. This can be problematic, not only because assessing whether a patient fulfills the criteria for driving is difficult, but also because the doctor has obligations to both the public and his patient. These problems are discussed, based on assessment of available literature and on personal experience. Dementia is common in old age and affects approximately 15% of persons aged 75 and older. Patients with moderate and severe dementia should certainly not drive. However, some patients with mild dementia can nevertheless be safe drivers. The problem, however, is to identify the safe drivers among patients with mild dementia. The current regulations on dementia and driving are presented briefly.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Influence of frame rate and image delay on virtual driving performance.

The control and navigation of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) by humans requires a thorough understanding of the limitations in human perception and performance. Images of the external world recorded by cameras mounted on the UGV are presented as a video display to the operator, who then remotely manipulates the vehicle using a standard control. Operator performance is directly proportional to the computational complexity associated with the processing of video data. This work studies the effects of frame rate and image delay (lag) on remote driving performance. Experiments were conducted with five subjects using a driving simulator with a 1 dof force feedback steering wheel control. After sufficient training on the simulator, subjects drove a virtual car on a standard track under varying settings of frame rate and lag. Performance was measured by the duration to complete the course. Comparison of performance both within and between subjects showed characteristic driving patterns at different settings. Implications of the findings are discussed in relation to video data presentation for remote driving applications.

Automobile Driving↗
PubMed1996

Role of television in adolescent women's body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness.

OBJECTIVE: Many authors have implicated the media's promotion of an unrealistically thin ideal for women as a major causal factor in the current high levels of body dissatisfaction and increasing incidence of eating disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to one medium, television, and body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. METHOD: Questionnaires were administered to 94 adolescent women who reported how much and what television they had watched in the previous week. Body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness were also assessed. RESULTS: Amount of television watched did not correlate with either body dissatisfaction or drive for thinness, but category of program did. Specifically, amount of time spent watching soaps, movies, and (negatively) sport predicted body dissatisfaction, and the watching of music videos predicted drive for thinness. DISCUSSION: The results are consistent with sociocultural explanations for body dissatisfaction and for the emergence of eating disorders in young women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Reconceptualization of body image and drive for thinness.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the nature of body image and drive for thinness as multidimensional constructs. Subjects included 111 early adolescent (ages 11-13) girls in Grades 7 and 8 from a private school in Melbourne. METHOD: The participants completed a suite of perceptual, affective/attitudinal, and behavioral measures that included assessment of body mass index, self-concept, body parts, silhouette discrepancy, self-worth, multidimensional body image, body image dissatisfaction, social physique anxiety, eating attitudes and behaviors, and physical activity. RESULTS: The sample reported moderate levels of body image dissatisfaction and a significant association of body image dissatisfaction with drive for thinness. Findings verified the important contribution of the affective/attitudinal components of body image. DISCUSSION: A multidimensional scale devised to test the value of a combined index of self-perceived size, shape, weight, tone, and appearance proved the most effective predictor among the alternative affective/attitudinal scales of body image dissatisfaction. Drive for thinness, as central to this study, was found to be related to, yet distinct from, body image on the basis of behavioral elements such as dieting and activity levels. These findings have ramifications for the design of future research in the body image, drive for thinness, and disordered eating domains. 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Effect of tractor driving on hearing loss in farmers in India.

BACKGROUND: Indian tractor drivers operate their tractors and other implements/equipment in an environment which can have extreme temperatures and high level of suspended particulate matter. In addition, Indian tractors do not have adequate vibration and noise attenuating designs features. This cross-sectional study compares the hearing status of tractor driving farmers (TDFs) (study group) and non-tractor driving farmers (NTDFs) (control group) matched for age, sex, generic/ethnic group, land holding, education levels, and work routines. METHOD: Two groups of 50 experienced tractor-driving farmers and 50 non-driving farmers were selected from 2 villages, 50 km from Delhi. All participants were interviewed for details of work routine and noise exposures. An audiogram was performed and noise measurements taken on tractors and other machines. RESULTS: Self-reported hearing problems were similar (4 cases each) in both the groups of 50 farmers. However, audiogram analysis showed higher prevalence of abnormalities in TDFs. TDFs (24) had more often high frequency hearing loss when compared to NTDFs (14). The noise levels observed on tractors in different operations were in the range of 90-110 dB (A). CONCLUSIONS: Tractor noise levels exceeded the recommended safe limits of OSHA and NIOSH prescribed standards. TDFs had higher high frequency hearing loss than NTDFs. The mechanism of damage and prevention needs to be studied further.

Adult↗