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.