Approach to the vestibular patient and driving: A patient perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To learn about the impact of dizziness on driving from a patient perspective and to present an approach to the vestibular patient and driving.


METHODS
An anonymous questionnaire completed by 265 dizzy patients at 3 different centers.


RESULTS
The participants were experienced drivers who needed to drive to function normally (83%). Those with constant or severe dizziness comprised a higher risk group of drivers. Although few had ever been warned not to drive, 52% said that if they were warned to stop driving, they would not. Most thought that it was the doctor's role to report unsafe drivers to the authorities (P < 0.001, chi2 = 87.2670).


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of a vestibular disorder should not alone be grounds to suspend a patient's driver's license. Legislation should be amended to better reflect the views of doctors and patients alike.
Sindwani
R
R
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Parnes
L S
LS
Goebel
J A
JA
Cass
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001334:Automobile Driving; D004244:Dizziness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role