In this issue of The Journal, page 1195, is a report prepared by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Automobile Injuries and Deaths which will be of value to physicians called on to advise whether or not an individual is capable of driving a motor vehicle safely.
It can easily be determined if the individual meets the physical standards for driver licensing established by the state licensing authority. These standards lend themselves to precise measurement. Not easily measured and not well understood in the production of automobile accidents are factors such as poor judgment, emotional disturbances, and faulty attitudes.
Injuries suffered in automobile accidents are an important health problem in the United States. About 37,000 persons were killed in automobile accidents in 1958 and about 5 million were injured seriously enough to require medical attendance or restriction of their activity for one day or longer.
Most automobile accidents occur because