Don't Drive Too Soon After a Concussion Despite Feeling Better

The Dangers of Driving After a Concussion

Suffering a concussion can be scary enough on its own without worrying about additional risks. However, experts caution that concussions can potentially impair critical driving skills for longer than patients may assume. Even if you feel fully recovered, driving after a concussion poses very real safety concerns.

Concussions Impact Reaction Time

According to major research studies, concussions frequently cause delayed reaction times and slowed processing speeds that can persist for weeks or months after the initial head trauma. However, many patients report feeling symptom-free long before these cognitive deficits have actually cleared up.

This discrepancy means that people may get behind the wheel before their brains have fully healed, putting them at higher risk for accidents. Specialized driving tests show compromised responses in brake time, attention, and quick decision-making in recently concussed individuals.

Lasting Effects May Go Unnoticed

Unlike obvious concussion symptoms like headaches or dizziness, problems with reaction time and focus can easily go undetected. People assume they're fine because outward signs of concussion have disappeared, even if lingering mental haze remains. Unfortunately this means many concussion patients aren't aware they shouldn't drive.

Experts emphasize the need for caution before driving after head trauma, even if you believe you've already recovered. Subtle but serious risks likely still exist that can endanger you and other drivers on the road.

New Research on Driving After Concussions

Cutting-edge studies are further demonstrating why medical experts strongly advise against driving too soon after concussion symptoms fade. Sophisticated assessments clearly show the effects concussions have on driving skills.

Simulated Driving Test Findings

In a 2022 study published in the medical journal Brain, researchers had patients recovering from concussions complete simulated drives at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months after injury. Patients self-reported feeling back to normal well before the 2 month mark.

However, the simulator showed slower braking times and delayed responses to road hazards even at 1 month post-concussion. Patients also had more difficulty maintaining proper speed and lane position. These results indicate driving risks remain well past the point patients believe they're recovered.

Brain Imaging Confirms Extended Effects

Follow up research utilized advanced MRI scans to assess when the brains of concussion patients do actually regain normal functioning. In over 60% of patients in the study, blood flow and activity in parts of the brain tied to attention and reaction time remained abnormal for at least 2 months post-injury.

Combined with the driving simulation data, these brain scans further enforce that patients can't necessarily trust how they feel. Unseen neurological dysfunction persists, making driving while recovering from a concussion extremely inadvisable according to experts.

Steps to Take Before Driving After Concussion

As tempting as it is to get right back to normal routines after concussion symptoms fade, exercising caution with driving is critical. However, every head injury is unique, so gauging when it's truly safe for you specifically to drive again can be tricky.

Listen to Your Doctor

Consult thoroughly with your physician before getting behind the wheel after a concussion. Be very explicit about all lingering issues you notice with memory, focus, balance, motion sickness or anxiety along with any symptoms you can no longer detect.

Based on your collective concussion severity, recovery timeline and specific symptoms reported, your doctor can best advise when potential driving impairment may have passed based on typical timeframes.

Get Evaluated by Experts

For additional clarity, ask your medical provider for referrals to specialized clinics with driving assessment capabilities. These facilities have tests to accurately evaluate post-concussion driving safety using driving simulators and other advanced measures.

These driving specialists can pinpoint subtle risks not apparent through standard medical exams and determine a safe return to driving timeline tailored to your unique concussion recovery.

Tips for Safe Driving After Concussion

Once your doctor ultimately gives the all-clear to start driving again at the appropriate stage of concussion recovery, you still need to exercise significant care to prevent issues.

Start Small

Don't just immediately dive back into handling the chaos of busy highways or unfamiliar routes coming off concussion. Ease back into driving at your pace.

Start with short trips close to home using familiar local roads you're very comfortable navigating. You want low stimulation environments at first to reacclimate while minimizing driving risks from lingering effects.

Bring Someone Along

Having a trusted passenger like a spouse, friend or older teen with you during initial post-concussion drives is wise. They can provide an extra set of eyes watching traffic and help spot potential risks you may react to more slowly.

The passenger should also speak up about any concerning driving behaviors you exhibit so you avoid repeating them. Having that feedback assists the self-monitoring process to continue determining safety behind the wheel.

Know When to Stop

Pay hyper-vigilant attention to how you feel throughout drives after concussion - lightheaded, extra anxious or distracted, confused, exhausted. These could be signs you pushed your recovering brain too far.

Pull over immediately if anything feels off and reassess if it's wise to continue driving independently or simply resume when accompaniment is available following further rest.

Recovering from a concussion before getting back behind the wheel is vital, even after the initial symptoms fade. Listen to medical experts, proceed with utmost caution, and know your limits to prioritize safety for yourself and everyone else sharing the roads.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.