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Seat belt repositioning and use of vehicle seat cushions is increased among older drivers aged 75 years and older with morbidities
Author(s) -
Brown Julie,
Coxon Kristy,
Fong Cameron,
Clarke Elizabeth,
Rogers Kris,
Keay Lisa
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12349
Subject(s) - seat belt , crash , cushion , human factors and ergonomics , injury prevention , poison control , mediation , physical medicine and rehabilitation , occupational safety and health , medicine , engineering , medical emergency , mechanical engineering , pathology , automotive engineering , computer science , law , political science , programming language
Objective Good seat belt fit and positioning is important for crash protection. Older drivers experience problems in achieving good seat belt fit and often reposition seat belts and/or use seat cushions. Comfort influences these behaviours. This work examines the impact of functional morbidities on belt positioning and accessory use and whether comfort mediates this relationship Methods Mediation analysis was used to examine the relationship between morbidities affecting physical function, comfort, belt repositions and seat cushion use among 380 drivers aged 75 years and older. Results Musculoskeletal morbidities increase the likelihood of seat belt repositioning ( OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12–1.67) and comfort partially mediates this relationship ( P = 0.03). Morbidities of any type also increase the likelihood of seat cushion use ( OR 1.15 95% CI 1.04–1.27), but comfort plays no role in this relationship ( P = 0.87). Conclusion Greater awareness among older drivers is needed, to ensure behavioural modifications do not impair their crash protection.