2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

Parkinson’s diseaseThere is a small but consistent body of research indicating that functional deficits associated withParkinson’s disease or its treatment may impair driving performance.Cerebral palsyThere has been no research on the effects of cerebral palsy and driving outcomes.24.4 Effect of neurological disorders on functional ability to driveMultiple sclerosisMS can affect motor, visual, and cognitive functioning. The major symptoms associated withMS that may affect driving are: ataxia (wobbliness, incoordination and unsteadiness) impaired proprioception (ability to perceive the body’s position in space) spasticity (involuntary muscle spasms) muscle weakness fatigue chronic pain vision problems, and cognitive impairment.Vision problems are common, affecting up to 80% of individuals with MS at some point. Visualsymptoms associated with MS include: nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movement) diplopia (double vision) blurred vision scotoma (abnormal blind spot), and diminished contrast sensitivity.Cognitive impairment, particularly associated with information processing speed, is alsocommon, affecting between 45 and 65% of those with the disease.Medications used to treat MS that may affect driving include: corticosteroids NSAIDS anti-epileptics anti-depressants anti-spasticity drugs, and opioids.See Chapter 29, Psychotropic Drugs, for more information on these medications.319