To analyse how the term “restrictive licensing” is defined in the literature, and to determine the effectiveness of this mechanism in improving driver safety.
A systematic literature review.
A search of the Medline and TRID databases.
Restrictive licensing is most commonly defined as a geographical, time of day or speed restriction placed on the driver. Personal and vehicle modifications are considered by some to also be a form of restrictive licensing. Existing studies are supportive of the efficacy of restrictive licensing programs, with reduced crash rates for drivers carrying restricted licences compared to controls.
Restrictive licensing has been shown to be an effective mechanism of increasing driver safety without unduly impacting driver mobility. It has significant potential to have a positive impact on the ability of those with medical conditions to drive safely. Further research is needed to determine the optimum format and policies for advising driver restrictions for age-related disease and disability.