Renewal Of Driving License Research Articles

Ophthalmologic Evaluation of Fitness to Drive

The ophthalmologist must know the essential principles of the driving fitness assessment. In the case of applications for a driving license renewal, it must always be clarified before the examination whether the fitness to drive is to be checked in accordance with the special regulation for holders of a driving license issued up to December 31, 1998 (see Annex 6 to § 12 of the FeV under 2.2.3 Special regulations for the old German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations). Within the scope of grandfathering, this continues to be valid only for the so-called old holders. A categorization of the manifold concerns regarding fitness to drive or driving ability in everyday practice makes it easier for the ophthalmologist to make a factually justified decision in individual cases. In particular, a distinction must be made between the medical assessment of subjects as applicants for a driving license (first-time applicants or renewal applicants) according to the German Driving License Ordinance (FeV) and the consultation of patients with chronic eye diseases [duty to inform according to the German Patients' Rights Act (PRG) and the German Civil Code (BGB), German Driving License Ordinance (FeV)]. The German Driving License Ordinance contains precise specifications for standardized testing of visual acuity and visual field as the most important partial functions of the eye. A special feature of the identified performance deficits of the eyes is that compensation by other bodily functions or supplementary technical equipment on the vehicle is not yet possible. The ophthalmologist therefore often has the task and responsibility of balancing the individual desire for mobility, in the case of professional drivers even the preservation of their jobs on the one hand, and the general societal need for safety on the other.

Analisis model antrian pada sistem single channel multi phase di kantor Satpas Polres kota Probolinggo

Queue is a problem that mostly occurred in public service facility such as Driving License (SIM) renewal service in Satpas (Driving License Administration) Office of Probolinggo City Police Station. For applicant that want to do SIM renewal must go through three steps: applicant comes to do registration in registration counter with submitting form and all requirements, then wait until the applicant is called by counter officer of file checking and do the payment, next the applicant waits to be called by officer to take photo for Driving License Card. The aim of this research was to know queue model that suitable with applicant queue of Driving License renewal and to know performance from queue model that suitable with applicant queue of Driving License renewal in Satpas Office of Probolinggo City Police Station. This research used primary data that was obtained from direct observation to the arrival time and service time for Driving License renewal applicant that served in file checking and payment counter (step 1) and in room to take photo for Driving License (step 2). From analysis result and discussion, it was obtained queue model that suitable for step 1 and step 2, they were . In the step 1, the largest utility was on March, 11th 2016 for 96.05% with the average number of applicant to be served in the queue for 8 applicants, the average number of applicant to be served in the sistem for 9 applicants, the average time of waiting period for each applicant in the queue was 21 minutes, and the average time of waiting period for each applicant in the sistem was 23 minutes. In the step 2, the largest utility was on March, 12th 2016 for 94.20% with the average number of applicant to be served in the queue for 3 applicants, the average number of applicant to be served in the sistem for 4 applicants, the average time of waiting period for each applicant in the queue was 8 minutes, and, the average time of waiting period for each applicant in the queue was 10 minutes.

THC and THC-COOH hair concentrations: Influence of age, gender, consumption habits, cosmetics treatment, and hair features

Evaluation of Cannabis consumption is required for many purposes (i.e., workplace drug testing and driving license renewal). Hair analysis represents the most adopted and reliable approach for the investigation of repeated or chronic exposure to Cannabis. The main markers are the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its main metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), as stated by the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS). In this paper we presented an observational study on the hair concentrations of THC and THC-COOH and influences due to age, gender, consumption habits, and hair features. Data were collected from analysis of scalp hair samples (3-cm proximal segment) provided by subjects tested for THC consumption for personal purposes (i.e., workplace drug testing, personal use proving). The subjects provided an informed consent and a short questionnaire. A new analytical method was previously developed and then adopted. It consisted in a hydrolysis (1 mL of 1 M NaOH at 65 °C, 20 min) and a liquid-liquid extraction (with hexane/ethyl acetate,90/10, v/v in presence of 1.5 mL of H2SO4 1 M) of 25 mg of hair. A liquid chromatograph – tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) equipped with a C18 column was used. The acquisition was in multiple reaction monitoring for the following transitions: 315→259, 193 m/z, for THC; 318→196, 123 m/z, for THC-d3; 345→299, 193 m/z for THC-COOH; 348→196, 302 m/z for THC-COOH-d3. Correlation between THC and THC-COOH hair concentrations was analyzed by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. In order to study the influences of several variables, a new value, Sqrt(THC*THCCOOH), was adopted. Its effectiveness and reliability were proved by the Principal Component Analysis. Relationships between the Sqrt(THC*THCCOOH) and the variables were studied through the Stepwise regression (p = 0.05). The normality of data distribution was tested by the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Lower limits of quantification were 10.0 (THC) and 0.2 (THC-COOH) pg/mg. Accuracy and precision always met the acceptable criteria. Recoveries were > 78% and ion suppression was observed for both the compounds. Data from 126 hair samples were included in this study: 54 subjects(42.9%) were positive both for THC and THC-COOH; none of the samples was positive for a single substance. Concentrations ranged from 0.18 to 1.75 ng/mg (median: 0.78 ng/mg) for THC and from 0.04 to 0.85 ng/mg (median: 0.31 ng/mg) for THC-COOH. Cannabinoids levels seemed to decrease with the age, with lower amounts in the subjects aged > 40 years (p < 0.05). Also years of consumption seemed to have a significant impact on hair concentrations, as higher levels were observed in consumers from > 10 years (p = 0.013). Moreover, this study further provided evidences of a significant reduction of THC and THC-COOH in bleached hair (p = 0.042).

Demography and blood donation trends in Saudi Arabia: A nationwide retrospective, cross-sectional study

BackgroundBlood product supply and utilization are understudied in Saudi Arabia. This study evaluates the trends in Saudi blood banks readiness, donors’ demography, and blood product utilization and wastage. Study design and methodsA retrospective, cross-sectional study of records obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH) was initiated to report trends and statistics on annual whole blood donors and blood product utility from 2010 to 2020. Data collected in 2020 was further characterized for donors’ demographics, laboratory readiness, and staffing. ResultsThe average number of annual blood donors over the last decade (2010–2020) was 325,847.3 ± 43,160. The forecasted blood donation and dispatch trends suggest a significant increase in blood demand (R2 = 0.7582) over annual donation rates (R2 = 0.2356). In 2020, 342,460 nationwide blood donations were registered in governmental donation centers and females constituted a mere 2.5 %. Approximately 60 % of whole blood donation was voluntary, 36% was compensatory, and 4% was part of driving license renewal. The highest blood donation rate per 1,000 inhabitants was observed in Taif (69.8) and Alqonfoda (45.0). Eastern directory and Madinah had the most successful donation campaigns attracting 53% and 50% of total annual donations, respectively. Notably, Tabouk, Hai’l, and Albaha had the highest blood product wastage medians. ConclusionBlood donation rates and impetus, staffing ratios, and laboratory readiness and wastage varied among the various directories. Laboratory managers and medical directors need to increase efforts to refine current guidelines in order to comply with the transformation plan of the health sector.

Ethyl glucuronide in hair: A 5-years retrospective cohort study among drivers under the influence of psychoactive substances and alcohol

The main aim of the study was to investigate ethyl glucuronide (EtG) hair levels and alcohol consumption behaviour of a large cohort of driving under the influence (DUI) subjects between 2015–2019. Since alcohol is the most widespread psychoactive substance in the world, evaluation of alcohol drinking behaviours can help in preventing alcohol misuse or, at least, limit high-risk situation, such as driving under the influence of ethanol. Ethyl glucuronide in hair is a sensitive and specific biomarker for estimating previous continuative alcohol consumption within a relatively long period, depending on hair length. EtG in hair tests, measured in the period 2015–2019, to all the 18 years old subjects that were resident in the Province of Pavia, were collected and evaluated. The province of Pavia has been divided into three districts, namely the main city together with hinterland (district I), the agricultural flat area (district II) and the rural hilly area (district III). EtG level was defined as ordinal variable, thus dividing data into three groups depending on the drinking behaviour (teetotallers or occasional drinkers, moderate continuative users, and chronic excessive alcohol users). Effects of age, gender and district on alcohol consumption behaviour are investigated with an ordinal logit model. A state sequence analysis was used to study people's alcohol consumption behaviour over time. In total, 22.2% of the drivers provided EtG in hair values. Among positive cases, a prevalence of males (96.3%), aged 35–44 (32.6%), coming from district I (38.2%) was observed. All age classes have a reduced drinking risk if compared to the ≥ 55 years old class: subjects aged 18–24 have 70% (OR≈0.29, P < 0.001) lower risk, 63% (OR≈0.37, P < 0.001) lower risk for the 25–34, half (OR≈0.51, P < 0.001) for the 35–44 and 36% (OR≈0.64, P < 0.001) for the 45–54. A general decreasing trend in EtG values over time was observed for the subjects who have undergone at least 4 repeated EtG measurements ( n = 460). Our study indicates that, compared to 2015, in the last few years the portion of heavy drinkers, among subjects tested for hEtG due to DUI issues, has decreased. When drinking habits were related to age, we observed that overall high-risk increased with increasing age. The characteristics of the territory are also associated with different drinking patterns: in the district mainly devoted to the cultivation of vineyards (district III) there is a 31% higher risk of being a drinker compared to people living in district I. The data obtained from this retrospective observational study suggested that the inclusion of EtG in hair test in the protocol for driving license renewal (DLR) could have contributed to raise awareness among people about the new diagnostic tools available for monitoring alcohol chronic behaviors, thus partially limiting ethanol consumption habits associated with high-risk issues. EtG in hair test in the drive license reissuing protocol appeared to contribute in decreasing alcohol misuse behaviors. Moreover, this study highlighted some potential risk factors related to alcohol drinking habits among drivers such as being male sex, age ≥ 55 years, and coming from rural areas.

Socio-demographic characteristics and cognitive performance in oldest old subjects asking for driving license renewal

BackgroundNo papers have examined the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and cognitive performance in oldest old subjects (i.e, > = 80 years old) asking for driving license renewal. We hypothesize that, even in this highly functioning population, age, sex, and education influence cognitive performance, expressed as total or single domain (raw) test scores. This research question allows to describe, identify, and preserve independence of subjects still able to drive safely.MethodsWe examined cross-sectionally a cohort of > = 80 years old subjects (at enrollment) asking for driving license renewal in the Milan area, Italy, 2011–2017. The analysis was restricted to 3378 first and 863 second visits where individual’s cognitive performance was evaluated. According to the study protocol, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test was administered at the first visit for driving license renewal and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test at the second visit, following an additional renewal request. Ordinary least squares regression models were fitted at either time points. In each model, we included age, sex, and education as independent variables, whereas the dependent variable was total or single domain score for either test. In total, we fitted 15 regression models to assess our research hypothesis.ResultsThe median subject in our sample reached the maximum scores on domains targeting operational and tactical abilities implied in safe driving, but had sub-optimal scores in the long-term memory domain included among the strategic abilities. In multiple models, being > = 87 (versus 80- < 86 years old) significantly decreased the mean total and memory scores of MMSE, but not those of the MoCA. Females (versus males) had significantly higher mean total and long-term memory scores of either tests, but not other domains. Mean total and single domain scores increased for increasing education levels for either tests, with increments for high school graduates being ~ 2 of those with (at most) a junior high school diploma.ConclusionsSex and education, as well as age to a lesser extent, predict cognitive functioning in our oldest old population, thus confirming that concepts like cognitive reserve and successful ageing are valuable constructs in the identification of older subjects still able to drive.

택시 운전자의 사망 및 위반에 관한 로지스틱 회귀분석

Objective: This research aims to analyze the occupational deaths and violation of the Korean taxi drivers and to find out the effect of factors for recommendations on injury prevention.BRBRBackground: Although there are many studies on traffic accidents, there are few studies on taxis, which are the main means of transportation. Moreover, There is little research on the industrial accidents of taxi drivers.BRBRMethod: The data of 586 taxi drivers approved as industrial accidents compensation of years 2015 and 2016 were analyzed. Significant variables explaining deaths and violation were identified by binary logistic regression.BRBRResults: Drivers aged 65 or older are more likely to die from accidents than those under 65 (OR (odds ratio): 1.85, p =0.048). In addition, violations were more likely to lead to death than no-violation (OR: 1.94, p =0.046). Facial injuries were more likely to lead to death (OR: 2.38, p =0.003) and encephalorrhagia injuries were more likely to lead to death (OR: 3.82, p 0.001).BRBRConclusion: In order to prevent accidents of the elderly drivers, it is necessary to reinforce safety education and to manage the driving license renewal cycles according to the ages. In addition, a system for integrated management of taxi transportation should be established to improve the working environment of older taxi drivers. Systematic approach is necessary to alert taxi drivers to the fatal consequences of traffic violations and to make them to comply with the traffic rules.BRBRApplication: The effects of the significant variables on deaths and violations can be used as a guideline to develop systematic measures for prevention of accidents for the taxi drivers.

Impact of mandating a driving lesson for older drivers at license renewal in Japan

In Japan, a driving lesson consisting of a lecture, a driver aptitude test, on-road driving assessment and a discussion session was added to the driving license renewal procedure for drivers aged 75 years or older in 1998 and for drivers aged 70 years or older in 2002. We investigated whether these additions contributed to a reduction in at-fault motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) by examining the trend of the at-fault MVC rates per licensed driver and the rate ratios of the older drivers relative to those aged 65–69 years for the years 1986–2011. All data were derived from nationwide traffic statistics. If the introduction of the lesson was effective in reducing at-fault MVCs of older drivers, the rate ratio should have declined, given that the lesson targeted only the older drivers. We found this was not the case, i.e., there was no declining trend in the at-fault MVC rate ratios of both drivers aged 75 years or older and drivers aged 70 years or older, relative to drivers aged 65–69 years, after the driving lesson at license renewal became mandatory for these older drivers. Therefore, the mandatory lesson for the older drivers at license renewal needs to be reconsidered.

Chronic Excessive Alcohol Consumption Diagnosis: Comparison Between Traditional Biomarkers and Ethyl Glucuronide in Hair, a Study on a Real Population

The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of chronic alcohol misuse diagnosis by comparing traditional biomarkers with ethyl glucuronide (EtG), an ethanol direct metabolite, detected in the keratinic matrix. Seventy-six subjects tested for chronic alcohol abuse for different purposes were recruited. EtG was detected in hair, whereas the analyses of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were performed in serum samples. Of the 76 patients examined, 26 were judged by the medical doctors as subjects with alcohol abuse problems and, therefore, not eligible for driving license renewal or liver transplant. EtG in hair (SE = 0.68, SP = 1.00) showed the best diagnostic SE and SP compared with the other biomarkers investigated. Among the traditional biomarkers, only CDT proved to be suitable for forensic purposes because of the high diagnostic specificity (SP = 1.00) although it showed poor diagnostic SE (0.27). The percentage of positive samples decreased for all the biomarkers by excluding the subjects with hepatic diseases, except for EtG and CDT, suggesting that these 2 biomarkers could be less affected by false positive results, because of hepatic diseases. This study showed that when EtG in hair and CDT results are combined, diagnostic SE in chronic alcohol abuse diagnosis clearly improved, suggesting that complementary analysis of both these biomarkers provides the best diagnostic tool in suspected cases of chronic excessive alcohol consumption.

ELDERLY DRIVING BEHAVIOR AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS: Analysis of License Renewal Course Data

To analyze the relationship between cognitive functions, driving conditions, and driving behavior among participants in driving license renewal courses for the elderly. Analysis was performed on data from 79 elderly people who attended license renewal courses at driving schools and agreed to take part in this study. Data acquisition on cognitive function and driving behavior were performed through the use of driving simulation tests, actual driving behavior assessments at the schools, as well as a unique set of questionnaires and Trail Making Tests (TMT). Subjects who fared better in the TMT-A test, which measured processing speed, had a significantly higher incidence of accidents involving minor property damage (P=0.038), demonstrated better results in simple reaction time (P=0.009) and steering error rate (P=0.049), and needed less advice for negotiating bends during driver assessment (P=0.030), compared to subjects from the lower achievement group. According to the TMT-B test, which required more complex cognitive processing, driving frequency (P=0.019), simple reaction time deviation (P=0.049), and steering error rate (P=0.011) were better in subjects who completed the test, compared to those who did not, and significantly fewer (P=0.027) subjects required advice for problems relating to passing parked vehicle during driving behavior. Of the 30 items monitored in the study, significant differences were evident in only a few. Because the evidence did not suggest a particular link to accident experience, it will be necessary to obtain objective data from other cognitive function tests and driving behavior for reassessment. various problems related to elderly driving in Japan were discussed.

The Licensing of Older Drivers in Europe— A Case Study

Objective. European countries practice a wide range of car driving license renewal procedures. These range from issuing lifelong licenses without subsequent medical checks, to issuing a license to age 70 and for 3- or 5-year periods thereafter based on self-declarations of medical fitness, to requiring medical examinations for renewal, to renewal every 5 years from the age of 45. This paper presents a case study of the different older driver licensing procedures in seven European countries and addresses the association between these procedures and older driver safety. Method. The seven countries studied consist of France, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The first-mentioned three countries have the most relaxed license renewal procedures and least demanding medical examination requirements. Results. There is no evidence that any license renewal procedure or requirement for a medical examination has an effect on the overall road safety of drivers aged 65+, though undoubtedly there are individual drivers who should no longer be driving who might be detected by stringent renewal procedures. Considering the three countries with the most relaxed licensing procedures, The Netherlands and United Kingdom have the lowest fatality rate for car drivers aged 65+, and the rate for France is falling rapidly. Conclusions. There is also evidence that stringent renewal procedures and demanding medical examinations at renewal reduce the level of car driving licenses among older people. France, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have the highest level of driving license holding by people aged 65+, which has direct implications for the independent mobility of older people. Reduced mobility also has safety implications: in about half the European countries for which road accident fatality data have been analyzed, people aged 65+ are at greater risk of death as a pedestrian than as a car driver.