Effects of ageing on taxi driving.

The effects of ageing on taxi driving were studied on 256 drivers from the largest taxi co-operative in Singapore. 123 of the drivers were below 45 years (28-44 yrs.) while the other 133 were 45 years or older (45-63 yrs.). The older drivers had a significantly higher prevalence of glucosuria (p less than 0.05) and poor visual acuity (p less than 0.01). In addition, 31.6% of the older drivers had elevated blood pressure as compared to 21.9% of the younger drivers. Psychophysiological test scores for mean reaction times (p less than 0.01), psychomotor dexterity and eye-hand co-ordination (p less than 0.01) and reaction discrimination errors (p less than 0.05) were also significantly poorer for the older drivers. In spite of these findings, the working hours, the average mileage driven, and the accident records of the older drivers were comparable to that of the younger drivers, thus suggesting that age does not play a major role in affecting the work capacity or accident liability of the drivers.