When Is It Time to Stop Driving Because of a Neurologic Condition?

Getting loved ones who have memory and executive function problems to stop driving can be tricky. These recommendations may help.

“Because symptoms emerge at varying rates, every person needs to be assessed individually,” says Ergun Uc, MD, FAAN, director of the movement disorders division at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City. “Some people may retain the basic ability to operate a car but may become lost when driving or feel unsure when they have to make a decision quickly.”

Other problems that could develop include going too fast or too slow, getting confused by stop signs and traffic signals, and having difficulty changing lanes or making turns. If a driver starts getting into fender benders or receiving more traffic tickets than usual, that also could be a red flag. Family members can share their observations with the person’s doctors, who might refer the patient to an occupational therapist, the department of motor vehicles, or a driving-test center that can assess driving skills, says Dr. Morgenstern.

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/when-is-it-time-to-stop-driving

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