Approach to the vestibular patient and driving: A patient perspective

OBJECTIVES: To learn about the impact of dizziness on driving from a patient perspective and to present an approach to the vestibular patient and driving. DESIGN: 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, χ2 = 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. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;121:13-7.)

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