EPILEPSY AND DRIVING
THE STATUS OF THE EPILEPTIC APPLICANT FOR A DRIVING LICENSE HAS ALTERED IN ENGLAND FROM COMPLETE DENIAL BEFORE 1948, THROUGH A PARTIAL APPROVAL SUBJECT TO MEDICAL ASSESSMENT, AND A CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO DRIVE IN 1970. SURVEYS MADE OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD SHOW THAT 42.3% OF FRANKLY EPILEPTIC MALE PATIENTS HAVE OBTAINED LICENSES BY SUPPRESSION OF DIAGNOSIS. REGULATIONS OF 1970 RESULTED IN AN INCREASE FROM 28% TO 88% OF APPLICANTS ACCEPTED FOLLOWING SELF DISCLOSURE. THE INCIDENCE OF NOCTURNAL EPILEPSY TO WHICH SPECIAL EXEMPTION IS GIVEN INCREASED TO 18%, AND IT IS THE OPINION THAT THE POLICY OF SELF- DISCLOSURE OF DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN IMPRACTICAL. MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR LICENSES TO DRIVE PUBLIC SERVICE AND HEAVY VEHICLES IS COMPULSORY; THIS REQUIREMENT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO PRIVATE LICENSES, AND INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE MADE OF THE EPILEPTIC WITHIN A CATEGORY OF MEDICALLY RESTRICTED DRIVERS AS IS THE RULING IN SOME PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHOUT SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE DIFFERENTIATION FROM THE OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH AFFECT CONTROL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. /AUTHOR/
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00071447
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Supplemental Notes:
- Vol 3, pp 12-14
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Authors:
- Maxwell, R D
- Leyshon, G E
- Publication Date: 1971-7-3
Media Info
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Serial:
- BMJ
- Publisher: British Medical Association
- ISSN: 0959-8138
- Serial URL: http://www.bmj.com/
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Driver licenses; Driving tests; Epilepsy
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00223616
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Oct 25 1971 12:00AM