The Dangers of Driving After a Concussion
Suffering a concussion can be a scary and disruptive experience. Even after the initial symptoms subside, a concussion can have lingering effects that may not be immediately obvious. One area of particular concern is getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while recovering from a concussion.
New research suggests that concussion patients who believe they have fully recovered may still have delayed reaction times and impaired driving abilities for weeks or even months after their head injury. This means driving post-concussion could put the recovering patient and others on the road at serious risk.
Concussions Can Impair Driving Skills
When recovering from a concussion, even subtle impairments in thinking speed, concentration, multitasking, and reaction time can make operating a vehicle much more hazardous. Unfortunately, these types of impairments are very common following a concussion.
One study looked at teenage drivers who had suffered a sports-related concussion. Even those who were asymptomatic performed worse on driving simulations compared to uninjured drivers. Their reaction times were slower, they had reduced information processing capabilities, and they missed more potential driving hazards.
Similar findings have been noted in adult drivers after concussion. Adults recovering from concussion may drive slower, brake harder, and take turns wider than normal drivers. They also tend to miss more visual cues indicating hazards.
Patients Often Overestimate Recovery
A major concern is that concussion patients often feel they have fully recovered well before their driving abilities are back to normal. As a result, they may get behind the wheel when they are still at increased risk of an accident.
One study looked at a group of patients who felt 100% recovered within just a few weeks after their concussion. However, when tested on a driving simulator, these patients displayed delayed reaction times and other impairments compared to healthy individuals.
In some cases, concussion patients had impaired driving skills for 3-4 weeks after injury. Even more concerning, a subset of patients still showed deficiencies after 8 weeks, even though they believed they were long since recovered.
Doctors Urge Caution After Concussion
Due to the hidden risks of driving after concussion, experts strongly advise patients to exercise caution before getting back on the road.
Doctors recommend completely avoiding driving for at least the first few days after a concussion. During this time, symptoms like headache, dizziness, and disorientation are usually most severe and make operating a vehicle extremely dangerous.
After the first week, patients can gradually resume normal activities as long as symptoms do not worsen. However, driving should not be rushed. Only when a patient is fully symptom-free consistently for a few days should they consider driving short distances in ideal conditions.
It is also wise to start as a passenger, allowing someone else to drive at first. This provides an opportunity to gauge whether riding in a car triggers any concussion symptoms before taking control of the wheel.
Seeking Clearance from Your Doctor
The safest approach is for concussion patients to consult their doctor before driving again. Your physician can monitor your recovery, perform cognitive tests, and ultimately decide when it is appropriate to drive.
Do not assume you are safe to drive just because outward symptoms disappear. Subtle cognitive deficits may still be present. Your doctor can help determine if any testing lag times or information processing issues remain that could delay reaction times behind the wheel.
If your doctor is unsure, they may refer you to an occupational therapist who specializes in driving rehabilitation and assessment. These professionals use driving simulators and other tools to systematically evaluate your readiness to drive safely post-concussion.
Warning Signs You May Not Be Ready
Even after your doctor's approval, you should monitor yourself closely early on and avoid driving if you notice any of the following:
Persisting concussion symptoms
Lingering symptoms like headache, fatigue, irritability, concentration issues or light/noise sensitivity can impair your ability to drive safely. Do not drive until you can function comfortably without medication for several days.
Delayed reaction time
If you notice you are slower to respond to traffic signals or hazards on the road, it likely indicates driving prematurely. Reaction time and information processing require full recovery.
Trouble multitasking
Driving requires dividing attention between controlling the vehicle, observing traffic, following directions, etc. If you find it hard to multitask post-concussion, hold off on driving.
Increased mistakes or near-misses
Pay attention to any close calls, fender benders or mix-ups while driving, like missing your turn. These could be red flags you need more recovery time.
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
Getting back behind the wheel after a concussion can stir up nerves. But if you feel truly anxious, distracted or overstimulated when driving, listen to your body and avoid driving for the time being.
Passengers express concerns
Finally, listen if any passengers comment on your driving ability post-concussion. They may notice issues you are not aware of yourself.
Tips for Safely Returning to Driving
When your doctor determines you are ready to start driving again, keep these tips in mind for a safe transition back behind the wheel:
Start slowly in safe conditions
Ease back into driving with short trips on familiar roads during light traffic conditions. Avoid risky situations like heavy traffic, bad weather or night driving initially.
Don't drive when tired
Fatigue can exacerbate any lingering effects from concussion. Avoid driving when feeling excessively tired.
Minimize distractions
Don't add phone calls, loud music or unrestrained pets that could divert attention. Keep full focus on the road.
Take regular breaks on long trips
Long periods of concentration required for highway driving may be draining initially after concussion. Stop regularly to rest and recover mental stamina.
Inform your insurance
Let your auto insurance company know about your concussion. Stop driving immediately if they revoke coverage due to safety concerns.
Listen to your instincts
Never force yourself to drive if you have lingering doubts about your readiness. Only resume when you are fully confident in your recovery.
When to Stop Driving After a Concussion
While most concussion patients can eventually return to driving safely, full recovery takes time. Rushing back too soon seriously jeopardizes the safety of yourself and others on the road.
Even after initial clearance from your doctor, if you experience any return of symptoms or feel overwhelmed and unsafe when driving, stop immediately. Temporary driving cessation may be necessary as your brain continues healing.
For a small number of patients, a severe concussion may cause lasting cognitive deficits that make operating a vehicle impossible. In these cases, permanent driving cessation is warranted.
Overall, be sure to consult medical experts, honestly evaluate your condition, and proceed with an abundance of caution when returning to driving after a concussion. Do not take risks behind the wheel until your doctor confirms you have achieved a full recovery.
With patience and care, most concussion patients can gradually regain their driving confidence and abilities. Put your health and safety first during the recovery process, and do not drive again until you are truly ready.
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.
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