| In consideration of Canada's aging population, a fair amount of attention has been given to the safety issues surrounding elderly drivers and possible re-licensing or retesting strategies. It is well documented that collision rates dramatically increase as the general population of drivers progress into their senior years. Unfortunately, little is known about the relative collision involvement of aging commercial vehicle drivers. The trucking industry's struggle with chronic driver shortage will most likely lead to an increase of employment of older drivers.;Other studies have shown that elderly passenger vehicle drivers regulate their driving behaviour by avoiding certain high-risk driving situations. This is not always possible for older commercial vehicle drivers who may not be able to avoid driving at night, long distances, during rush hour and in construction zones. For this reason, combined with the increased responsibility associated with operating commercial vehicles and higher collision consequences, it may be prudent to impose more stringent licensing standards on aging commercial drivers.;This study examines the collision involvement of older commercial truck drivers in New Brunswick and looks at existing policies in North America and abroad addressing older drivers of heavy commercial vehicles. The collision involvement analyses used the New Brunswick Department of Transportation accident database for years 1993 - 2003. Rates were developed using vehicle-kilometres estimates from the 1999 National Roadside Study to compare older commercial drivers to other age groups.;Results from the collision involvement analyses show older commercial vehicle drivers to be overrepresented in collisions involving heavy vehicles in New Brunswick. This was the case for both single and multiple vehicle collisions. Other analyses were undertaken to gain insight into contributing factors of collisions where older commercial drivers are overrepresented.;Collisions involving a commercial vehicle can have serious consequences and are more likely to result in casualties. Therefore, many jurisdictions around the world are working to ensure commercial vehicle drivers operate their equipment safely. Past research has indicated driving related skills begin to decline at approximately age 65. Ontario, however, is the only Canadian province which has a mandatory age-based assessment of driving ability for commercial vehicle licence holders. |
