A traffic sign recognition test can discriminate between older drivers who have and have not had a motor vehicle crash.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a Traffic Sign Recognition Test (TSRT) can identify older drivers who recently had a motor vehicle crash (MVC).


METHODS
Retrospective, matched, case-control study.


METHODS
Licensed drivers in Galveston, Texas.


METHODS
60 crash and 60 control subjects matched for age and gender. Cases were identified from accident records. Controls were selected from a randomized list of licensed drivers in Galveston.


METHODS
Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the TSRT.


RESULTS
A TSRT significantly distinguished between case and control groups (P = .01). The MMSE did not (P = .61). A TSRT predicted MVC in a multivariate analysis controlling for education, MMSE score, race/ethnicity, and mileage driven/year (odds ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval = 0.77-1.00).


CONCLUSIONS
A TSRT successfully identifies older drivers with a recent MVC, but the test lacks sensitivity and specificity. A prospective study is needed to further delineate the TSRT's usefulness in predicting crash risk in older drivers.
MacGregor
J M
JM
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, USA.
Freeman
D H
DH
Zhang
D
D
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies