The North Carolina Driver Medical Evaluation Program (MEP) is designed to identify drivers with physical and/or mental impairments which may adversely affect their driving and directed at influencing their driving behavior in a positive fashion. This study examines the impact of the initial medical review (IMR) on the driving performance (as measured by crashes and violations) of those person who had their initial medical review in 1978 and 1979 (N=6953). Their driving records are examined for a period of two years before and after IMR. Their driving performance is compared with that of all drivers in the North Carolina Driver History File in 1981.

Within group comparisons are made to determine if the medically impaired driver's crash rates changed from the pre to the post evaluation period. A second set of comparisons is made to determine if there are differences in the driving performance of MEP members and those in the driving population. In addition, comparisons are also made for various subgroups determined by type of medical restriction.

For most categories of disabilities there was marked improvement in driving performance subsequent to medical review with improvement among all groups except those with alcohol/drug related disabilities. Persons with visual, diabetic, cardiovascular, mental, blackout and seizure disabilities showed a significant improvement in their crash rates, but those with blackouts, seizure, neurological, and alcohol drug related disabilities were significantly worse drivers than their counterparts in the general driving population. The program does not appear to have any effect on violation rates.