[Drivers license qualification for epileptics].

Abstract

The question whether a person with epilepsy qualified for a driving licence must be examined from the point of view of the individual as well as that of the community. The general public should be protected against unduly high risks from epileptic drivers, whereas the patient has a right to live as normal a life as possible, which includes driving an automobile. Too rigid criteria for obtaining the license increase the number of persons who evade medical control and drive "illegally". To require physicians to report their epileptic patients to the authorities would be counterproductive; it would also destroy the personal confidence between physician and patient which is so essential for successful treatment. Epileptic persons endanger safety on the road only slightly: 0.1-0.3% of all traffic accidents are due to epileptic seizures. In contrast, abuse of alcohol plays a major role in 6-9% of all accidents, whereas 80-90% are attributable to evident mistakes by the driver. Epileptic patients under regular medical supervision who are licenced on grounds of approved criteria do not cause more accidents than the general population. A dangerous group are, however, those with mental alterations (organic or reactive) and particularly patients with aggressive and expansive-compensatory traits, as well as those driving without permission. Prognostic criteria as to the further course of the disease are paramount for the assessment of qualification for the licence. The following rules have proved their worth: 2 years freedom from seizures (with or without therapy), no abnormalities specific for epilepsy in the EEG, no serious mental changes, regular medical supervision and treatment mus be guaranteed. Departures from these rules should be confined to exceptional cases with the consent of a physician specialized in epileptology. The same holds for admission to higher categories of driving licence, the only practical eventuality being category D (lorries), and even this only in rare cases. It will scarcely ever be possibel to licence a person who has at some time had epilepsy for professional passanger transportation. The attitude of the physician who first sees the seizure patient is often decisive. It is important that he recognizes the problem, objectively informs his patient and from the very outset gives him realistic advice in order to avoid false decisions, particularly regarding his professional career.