Approach to the vestibular patient and driving: A patient perspective

OBJECTIVES: To learn about the impact of dizziness on driving from a patien t perspective and to present an approach to the vestibular patient and driv ing. DESIGN: An anonymous questionnaire completed by 265 dizzy patients at 3 different centers, RESULTS: The participants were experienced drivers who needed to drive to f unction normally (83%). Those with constant or severe dizziness comprised a higher risk group of drivers, Although few had ever been warned not to dri ve, 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 auth orities (P < 0.001, chi(2) = 87.2670), CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of a vestibular disorder should not alone be gro unds to suspend a patient's driver's license, Legislation should be amended to better reflect the views of doctors and patients alike.