SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: Senior Automobile Crashes and Fatalities in Texas
Project Number: 169303
Principal Investigator:
Gwen Goodwin
(713) 313-7283
P.I. Affiliation: Texas Southern University
goodwingc@tsu.edu
Project Monitor:
Ursurla Anderson
HGAC
3555 Timmons Lane
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 993-2455
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/08
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/09
Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal: $49,000
Estimated Cost - Total Planned: $49,000
Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
Today, Americans are enjoying increased longevity. Longer life allows some seniors to remain healthy and mobile well into their retirement years. However, other seniors are living longer with major illnesses and diseases, and many of these seniors will continue to drive along with their illnesses. As a result, researchers are seeing a rise in the number of crashes and fatalities among senior drivers. All over the country, laws are being enacted to ensure that seniors can continue driving without harming themselves or the general public. Texas enacted HB 84 on September 1, 2007 in an effort to protect senior drivers and the general public. This study will look at the impact, if any, that Texas HB 84 (Katie’s Law) has had in preventing/decreasing the number of crashes and fatalities among elderly drivers.
Project Objectives:
This project will look at the impact, if any, that HB 84 (Katie’s Law) has had in preventing/decreasing the number of crashes and fatalities among elderly drivers.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Literature review
The literature review will focus on available scientific papers, reports and websites regarding public involvement. A Graduate Research Assistant will assist the PI during this task.
Task 2: Review and compare legislative efforts in Texas to those in other states.
Examine laws and regulations from other states to compare them with Texas’ efforts to ensure that seniors are safe to drive.
Task 3: Analyze data from Department of Public Safety, Census, and other sources
This task involves obtaining crash data from DPS and other data sources. If data permits, cross tabulations will be run.
Task 4: Document research results and findings
During this task, the research team will note significant findings. This information will be synthesized into a final document.
Index Terms:
Aged, Aged drivers, Fatalities, Collisions, Driving cessation, Diseases and medical conditions, Research projects