After presenting accident statistics for the USA, the author examines accident causes: the human factor, vehicle and environment, and emphasises the role of human fatigue narcolepsy, hypoglycemia, alcohol, and drugs in accident causation. Propylactic measures for drivers subject to fatigue, drowsiness, hypoglycemia, and selected medical disorders are proposed and recommendations put forward for improving driver vision and performance, and for drawing up effective traffic safety programmes. The medical aspects of driver licensing are considered together with methods of improving roads, urban transportation, traffic engineering, and vehicular safety. A study is made of the sociological, demographic, and spiritual effects of transport on a highly mobile society. Problems of air pollution, carbon monoxide exposure, traffic noise, and lead intoxication are examined, and guidelines given for the emergency care of traffic accident victims. Mention is made of resistance to traffic safety and accident prevention encountered in the medical, public and governmental sectors and the automobile industry. Appendices contain excerpts from the committee on medical aspects of automotive safety, 1968, highway safety programme standards.
Abstract