This report reviews the contribution of medical conditions and functional limitations (e.g., sensory, motor, or cognitive functioning) to motor vehicle crashes. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the international research literature on the effects of medical and functional conditions on driving performance. The report is divided into 15 sections (Introduction, Vision, Hearing, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cerebrovascular Diseases, Peripheral Vascular Diseases, Diseases of the Nervous System, Respiratory Diseases, Metabolic Diseases, Renal Diseases, Musculoskeletal Disabilities, Psychiatric Diseases, Drugs, The Aging Driver, and the Effects of Anesthesia and Surgery). Each section contains a brief overview of the condition/illness; prevalence information; a review of the medical, gerontological, and epidemiological literature relevant to the condition/illness, followed by current fitness to drive guidelines for the condition/illness from Canada and Australia. The Appendix presents preliminary guidelines for physicians to assess medical fitness-to-drive. The report is a scholarly but practical compendium that can serve as a valuable resource for physicians, rehabilitation practitioners, other allied health care professionals and educators, Department of Motor Vehicle personnel, road and traffic safety personnel, transportation planners, highway safety researchers, and public policymakers. Its value is particularly relevant as the driving population increases in size and age. (Author/publisher)
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