ATTENTION: Assignment editors, health, research and science reporters
| For immediate release - |
2006-61 |
OTTAWA (November 28, 2006) - According to Transport Canada, an average of 3,000 people died each year on Canadian roads between 1994 and 2003. Learn more about Canadian health research that will help reduce the number of road deaths. Four researchers supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research are available for interviews on issues affecting driver safety.
Driver fatigue
Driver fatigue is the culprit behind many traffic accidents. Many of us have our own tricks for staying awake while driving, but a national team of researchers led by Prof. Mary Chipman from the University of Toronto are looking at strategies which could actually work.
Aging population
As Canada's population ages, the number of older drivers increases. How can these drivers keep their driving skills sharp in the face of cognitive and physical impairments that come with old age? Ms. Harpreet Chattha from Lakehead University is examining the effect of a specially-designed fitness program for older drivers.
Screening senior drivers
Elsewhere, Dr. Malcolm Man-Son-Hing from the University of Ottawa is researching what it takes to keep senior drivers and others around them safe. Dr. Man-Son-Hing is a lead researcher for CanDrive (The Canadian Driving Research Initiative for Vehicular Safety in the Elderly). Researchers are studying ways to extend the length of time that older drivers can drive and developing screening tools that will quickly and easily identify which older drivers, for whatever reason, are unsafe to continue operating a motor vehicle
Keeping children with disabilities safe
Many parents of school-aged children with physical disabilities face a major problem keeping their kids safe while driving. Most adaptive seats do not meet the regulatory requirements for child restraint systems and special car safety seats, while available, are generally unsuitable for children with complex seating needs. Mr. Stephen Ryan from the Bloorview Research Institute at Bloorview Kids Rehab, affiliated with the University of Toronto and his team are working with HTX - The Health Technology Exchange and industry partners to commercialize a multipurpose safety seat that can be used in the family car.
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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For interviews with Prof. Chipman, Ms. Chattha, Dr. Man-Son-Hing and/or Mr. Ryan, please contact:
Marie-France Poirier
CIHR Media Specialist
Office: (613) 941-4563
Mobile: (613) 447-4794
E-mail: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
