Understanding Epilepsy and Driving: What Parents Need to Know
People living with epilepsy face challenges regarding driving, as seizures can pose a serious risk. Laws and regulations vary by state, requiring individuals to be seizure-free for a specific period. Teenagers with epilepsy may desire independence through driving, prompting discussions on seizure management and medical care. Various factors, beyond just tonic-clonic seizures, influence driving safety for individuals with epilepsy.
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Epilepsy and Driving WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
Introduction People living with epilepsy often have questions about driving People with epilepsy have to be extra careful about choosing to drive If someone has a seizure when they are driving it could be very dangerous States have laws requiring a person to be seizure free for a specific amount of time before they can legally drive Some states also require a physician to report persons with active epilepsy If driving is not the best option there are other ways a person can get around and do the things they want to do
Teens, Epilepsy, and Driving Driving is a common milestone for many teens Many teens with epilepsy are within the legal limits of driving Parents can be torn between giving their teen that independence if they are within legal limits to drive Other teens are not legally allowed to drive, but still want to experience more independence Parents can support their teen in gaining independence without driving
Teens, Driving, and Epilepsy The desire to drive can motivate teens to be more careful about taking ownership of their health needs Support your teen in taking on more ownership of controlling their seizures It is important to talk to your teen about living with epilepsy and driving Even if your teen is legally able to drive and their doctor has also approved them to drive, they may have points in their future when their seizures are not under control and they cannot drive As the age for driving approaches, it is a good idea to review your teen s medical care
Factors to consider Tonic-clonic seizures are not the only type of seizure that can be hazardous Many absence or complex partial seizures while driving can be just as deadly as tonic-clonic seizures Studies have shown that the rate of motor vehicle accidents for people with epilepsy is higher than the average rate, but nowhere near the rate for those who drink and drive To get a driver's license in most U.S. states, a person with epilepsy must be free of seizures that affect consciousness for a certain period of time
Potential Liability A person with epilepsy may be civilly or criminally liable for a motor vehicle accident caused by seizures Liability may occur when a person drives: against medical advice without a valid license without notifying the state department of motor vehicles of the medical condition with the knowledge they are prohibited from driving
Texas Driving Laws In Texas, a person must be seizure free for three months before they can legally drive Sometimes, a doctor may want a patient to wait event longer or not drive at all to make sure they stay safe An individual can appeal license denial Physicians are not required to report patients who have been treated for or diagnosed as having epilepsy to a central state agency
Commercial Driving in Texas A history of recurrent seizures prevents operation of cargo transport, passenger transport and emergency vehicles in classes A, B and C For a class A or B license, or to have the restriction removed from a class C license, an applicant must be seizure free while off anti-seizure medication for a period of 5 years Texas has adopted the federal Department of Transportation's medical standards for licensing individuals to drive commercial vehicles interstate
Reporting Epilepsy Diagnosis to the DMV The application for a license will include a list of medical conditions Epilepsy or seizures will be on the list A person with epilepsy must note they have epilepsy Failure to report an epilepsy diagnosis could result in charges if an accident were to occur
Driving without a license A person driving before they are seizure free for the required amount of time could be charged with a crime If they hurt someone else, they could go to prison If a person has a car accident as the result of a seizure, insurance might not cover the cost
Nocturnal Seizures and Driving In Texas, a person will have to talk to their doctor to get more information before they can drive The risk of having a seizure during the day will be one of the things a doctor would consider in this situation
Auras and Driving A person should talk with their doctor for guidance The doctor will take into account the types of seizures a person has and how often they have seizures Follow the doctor s advice
VNS Implant and Driving A person should talk to their doctor before they drive If a person is still having seizures they cannot drive Stopping a seizure with a VNS magnet doesn t mean that a person won t have a seizure later that they won t be able to stop If a person feels a seizure coming on at any time, they should immediately pull off the road, stop, and get home another way
Driving and Medication A person with epilepsy should not drive if they have not been taking their medication If a person is making medication changes, they should ask their doctor about driving When in doubt, play it safe and find another way to get to your destination
Beyond driving Share rides sometimes people live in an area where there is no public transportation system and it is hard to find other transportation options Public transportation Houston METRO Dallas DART San Antonio VIA Austin CapMetro Paratransit services (may qualify) public services for people living with a disability Using a bike or scooter (ask doctor to be sure it is safe with the type of seizures you have) Uber or Lyft or Taxi Service
Safety when teen is away from home Have teen carry a cell phone Location apps Driving monitors Teens should be taught what to do in case of an emergency
Transition to living away from home Learn how to get around Learn driving laws if moving out of state Epilepsy Foundation website State Driving Laws Database Find new resources Ride sharing Ride services Using public transportation system Safety Ensure they have a way to get in touch with you if they need help
Summary Follow all advice from medical professional Follow state laws If a person feels a seizure coming on at any time, they should immediately pull off the road, stop, and get home another way Parents can help their teen navigate other transportation options before they become more independent Driving is not the only way a person can be independent When in doubt, don t drive
Resources https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/driving-and-transportation https://www.epilepsy.com/driving-laws https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and- caregivers/about-teens-epilepsy/driving-and-transportation https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/driving-and-transportation https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/driving-and- transportation/transportation https://livingwellwithepilepsy.com/2018/personal-epilepsy- stories/epilepsy-and-transportation-how-an-electric-bike-saved-the- day-for-one-mom-in-portland.html https://livingwellwithepilepsy.com/tag/uber
Resources https://epilepsychicago.org/case-management/transportation/ https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/epilepsy/epilepsys-mobility- problem-advocating-for-changes-in-transportation-laws-public- resources/ https://n.neurology.org/content/90/13/583 http://www.healthtalk.org/young-peoples- experiences/epilepsy/driving-transport-and-travel-epilepsy https://epilepsycentre.org.au/transportation-safety/ https://www.epilepsy.com/driving-laws https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2014/9/driving-and-independence
