M-L Chan1, Y Wong2, R Ng3, G C-H Koh4. 1. Department of Occupational Therapy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. 2. Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore. 3. Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore. 4. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Taxi driving has been associated with the risk of various diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipaemia, back pain). Little is known about the relationship between health conditions and driving fitness of older taxi drivers who continue to work. AIMS: To investigate the (i) prevalence of medical conditions and (ii) relationship between age and medical conditions, with on-road driving tests in the relicensing process of older taxi drivers aged ≥70 years, prior to the mandatory retirement age of 75 years. METHODS: We analysed retrospectively all relicensing records (N = 855) of taxi drivers aged 70, 73 and 74 years that were submitted from April 2014 to April 2015. RESULTS: All passed their medical fitness screening. Ninety-eight per cent passed their driving tests. Thirty-one per cent, 36% and 24% reported none, one and two medical conditions, respectively. These included hypertension (56%), eye disease (25%; cataracts 19%), diabetes (24%), corrected hearing impairment (14%), hyperlipaemia (12%) and heart disease (9%). Deafness (P < 0.001) was associated with older age. No past medical condition affected driving outcome. CONCLUSION: Older Singaporean taxi drivers were healthy and generally competent drivers. Early effective preventive health screening and modifiable lifestyle intervention are recommended in older taxi drivers.
BACKGROUND: Taxi driving has been associated with the risk of various diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipaemia, back pain). Little is known about the relationship between health conditions and driving fitness of older taxi drivers who continue to work. AIMS: To investigate the (i) prevalence of medical conditions and (ii) relationship between age and medical conditions, with on-road driving tests in the relicensing process of older taxi drivers aged ≥70 years, prior to the mandatory retirement age of 75 years. METHODS: We analysed retrospectively all relicensing records (N = 855) of taxi drivers aged 70, 73 and 74 years that were submitted from April 2014 to April 2015. RESULTS: All passed their medical fitness screening. Ninety-eight per cent passed their driving tests. Thirty-one per cent, 36% and 24% reported none, one and two medical conditions, respectively. These included hypertension (56%), eye disease (25%; cataracts 19%), diabetes (24%), corrected hearing impairment (14%), hyperlipaemia (12%) and heart disease (9%). Deafness (P < 0.001) was associated with older age. No past medical condition affected driving outcome. CONCLUSION: Older Singaporean taxi drivers were healthy and generally competent drivers. Early effective preventive health screening and modifiable lifestyle intervention are recommended in older taxi drivers.
Authors: Balavenkatesh Kanna; Aijan Ukudeyeva; Mohammad Faiz; Euripides Roques; Tina Washington; Leandro Ramirez; Masood A Shariff; Maria Espejo Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-05-14 Impact factor: 3.295