[Epilepsy and driving]

Abstract

Epilepsy contributes little to road traffic accidents (0.25% of accidents) compared, for instance, to alcohol abuse (at least 30 times higher). Current factors, such as age and sex, or other chronic medical conditions also increase the risk of road traffic accidents but do not carry driving restrictions. So, the European Commission fairly established rules permitting individuals having experienced one or more epileptic seizures to drive if their road accident risk is low. Road accident risk related to epileptic seizures in various clinical situations is evaluated by the driving license commission, mainly with the aid of criteria based on seizure-free periods. A person who has had an epileptic seizure should notify the authorities. He should be advised by treating physician not to drive before. In case of an authorisation, any new relevant event should be notified to the authorities in the course of legal follow-up. Improvements of the current regulations by European data registries are under way.