Medical and Psicho-Tecnical Examinations Centers in the Prevention of Trafic Accidents: 1480 Examinations Carried out in the Spanish Red Cross Centre in Valencia

Abstract

The centres for medical and psychotechnical examinations in the prevention of traffic accidents: 1480 examinations carried out in the Spanish Red Cross Centre (Valencia). The centres for medical and psychotechnicael xaminations are included within the field of primary accident prevention, as they participate in the selection of drivers. In this study, we analye the results of 1480 examinations of applicants for different types of driving licences (firsttime and renewals) who applied to this centre during the first quarter of 1989. To this end we have followed the regulationsin forces eto ut in Royal Decree 2272/85. Thus, 90.13% were declared TOTALLY FTT, 8.65% PARTlALLY FIT and 1.22% UNFlT to drive. By age groups these pementages vary: in those under 50, there were 95.76% TOTALLY FIT, 4.04% PARTIALLY FIT and 0.2% W, in the group between 50 and 70 years of age and those over 70, the numbers of TOTALLY FIT drop (86.l5 and 49.04%) while those PARTIALLY FIT (12.19 ande 41.35%) and UNFIT (1.66 and 9.61%) increase. Our results show these centres to beuseful for selection and for the detection of diabilities and illnesses wich may lead to the restriction or cancellation of a driving licence. On the other hand, they should be totally integrated in the Health Education and Health Protection systems.