Motor vehicle crashes and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences in the incidence of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis (MS) when cognitive impairment is present.


METHODS
Archival evaluation of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records.


METHODS
Medical rehabilitation research organization.


METHODS
Community-dwelling drivers, 27 subjects with documented MS (14 MS without cognitive impairment [MS-], 13 MS with cognitive impairment [MS+]) and 17 healthy control subjects, matched on age, sex, and driving experience.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Incidence of MVCs and motor vehicle violations as documented by DMV reports for the past 5 years.


RESULTS
MS+ subjects showed a higher incidence of MVCs when compared with control and MS- subjects. No significant difference in the incidence of motor vehicle violations was observed between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of cognitive impairment in drivers with MS can result in an increased risk of MVC involvement.
Schultheis
Maria T
MT
Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory, Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corp, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA. mschultheis@kmrrec.org
Garay
Edward
E
Millis
Scott R
SR
Deluca
John
J
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications