Many individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) can drive safely in the early stages, but symptoms like tremors, slowed reflexes, rigidity, and cognitive changes can eventually impair driving. To ensure safety, obtain a formal evaluation from your neurologist or a specialist and establish a proactive plan for transitioning away from driving.

Key Impacts on Driving

Parkinson's affects both motor and non-motor functions that are critical for operating a vehicle: 

• Physical: Bradykinesia (slowness of movement), involuntary tremors, rigidity, and limited neck rotation can make it difficult to brake, steer, or make safe lane changes. 

• Cognitive: Reduced multitasking ability, slower reaction times, and spatial awareness issues can cause confusion in heavy traffic or at intersections.

• Visual & Sleep: Impaired contrast sensitivity can make nighttime driving difficult, while daytime sleepiness and "off" periods (when medication wears off) significantly increase the risk of accidents.

Actionable Steps and Evaluations

Managing driving fitness requires careful assessment and monitoring as the disease progresses:

• Schedule a Driving Evaluation: Speak with your doctor about a clinical driving assessment. You can also find certified driver rehabilitation specialists through the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists to evaluate your physical, visual, and cognitive readiness.

• Adjust Your Habits: If cleared to drive, stick to short, familiar routes, avoid nighttime and adverse weather conditions, and never drive when feeling drowsy or during the "off" periods of your medication cycle.

• Plan for "Driving Retirement": Because PD is progressive, ceasing to drive will eventually be necessary. Planning ahead and researching public transit, ride-sharing, and community transport services maintains independence without compromising safety. 

For comprehensive guidelines on managing your daily routines, consult the Parkinson's Foundation Activities of Daily Living page or review The Michael J. Fox Foundation Dexterity & Driving Overview to better gauge safety and passenger comfort

3 page PDF file

https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/10900f-drivewell-handout-parkinsons.pdf

See Slides from Donna Stressel Tice OTR, CDI, CDRS • Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital

The Albany Guardian Society (AGS), in partnership with the Capital Region Transportation Council, publishes the definitive Transportation Directory for older adults in Albany and surrounding counties. The directory details senior transit vans, medical transport, volunteer programs, and technology-based solutions like GoGoGrandparent.