Shipp M D
University of Alabama at Birmingham-School of Optometry, USA.
Optom Vis Sci. 1998 Feb;75(2):103-18. doi: 10.1097/00006324-199802000-00014.
This study assessed the impact of vision-related relicensing policies on traffic fatalities in the United States. There is a limited empirical basis for state vision testing policies for relicensing. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether contemporary vision standards for driver licensing achieve their implicit goal of protecting the public's health, or inappropriately restrict the mobility of competent drivers.
The 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia were the "subjects" in this investigation. During the study period (1989 to 1991), 10 states did not require vision testing for driver license renewal. Multiple regression modeling was used to assess the impact of vision-related relicensing policies on traffic safety and to estimate the number of avoidable vehicle occupant fatalities and corresponding economic costs associated with traffic crashes involving older drivers (> or = 60 years). The primary data source for this investigation was the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database.
Vision-related relicensing policies were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with lower vehicle occupant fatality rates of older drivers. According to the final regression model, approximately 222 fewer vehicle occupant fatalities (-12.2%) associated with older drivers would be expected for the 3-year period if mandatory vision testing policies had been in effect in 8 of the 10 states without such policies. Conservatively, those avoidable deaths represent an estimated $31 million in avoidable economic costs.
State-level mandatory vision testing for relicensure may enhance traffic safety and reduce the economic burden of fatal crashes. Vision testing requirements should be maintained by jurisdictions with such requirements, and jurisdictions without such requirements should consider the potential traffic safety benefits of vision testing for driver license renewal.
本研究评估了与视力相关的重新发证政策对美国交通死亡事故的影响。关于州重新发证视力测试政策的实证依据有限。此外，目前尚不确定当代驾照视力标准是否实现了其保护公众健康的隐含目标，还是不适当地限制了合格驾驶员的出行。
本调查以48个相邻州和哥伦比亚特区为“研究对象”。在研究期间（1989年至1991年），有10个州不要求对驾照续期进行视力测试。采用多元回归模型评估与视力相关的重新发证政策对交通安全的影响，并估计可避免的车辆驾乘人员死亡人数以及与涉及老年驾驶员（≥60岁）的交通事故相关的相应经济成本。本次调查的主要数据来源是致命事故报告系统（FARS）数据库。
与视力相关的重新发证政策与老年驾驶员较低的车辆驾乘人员死亡率显著相关（p<0.05）。根据最终回归模型，如果在10个没有此类政策的州中的8个州实施强制性视力测试政策，那么在这3年期间，预计与老年驾驶员相关的车辆驾乘人员死亡人数将减少约222人（-12.2%）。保守估计，这些可避免的死亡造成的可避免经济成本约为3100万美元。
州一级的重新发证强制性视力测试可能会提高交通安全并减轻致命撞车事故的经济负担。有此类要求的司法管辖区应维持视力测试要求，而没有此类要求的司法管辖区应考虑驾照续期视力测试对交通安全的潜在益处。
