DRIVING AND EPILEPSY - A HISTORICAL-PERSPECTIVE AND REVIEW OF CURRENTREGULATIONS

Historically, persons with seizures or epilepsy have been prohibited f rom driving automobiles or motor vehicles because of concern for publi c safety. Seizures have a tendency to recur and pose risks of traffic accidents, property damage, and personal injury. In our modern world, however, driving an automobile is such an economic and social necessit y that a conflict results between our need to protect public safety an d our responsibility to provide reasonable opportunities to drive for persons handicapped by seizures and epilepsy. Currently, there is a tr end toward liberalization of driving standards for persons with epilep sy, but there is still considerable controversy regarding the specific driving restrictions necessary for persons with seizures, the way in which such policies should be administered, and the role physicians sh ould have in the process.