There is no standard validated protocol for assessing fitness to drive after brain injury or illness. The problem of assessing fitness to drive is by no means marginal. Over 25,000 licence holders every year notify the DVLA of medical conditions affecting the brain. The main aims of this study were to assess whether clinical opinions of fitness to drive are predictive of the outcome of an on-road driving assessment, and to identify which neuropsychological tests inform these opinions. The sample comprised 39 drivers who had experienced brain injury or illness. Neuropsychological data was obtained for each participant at community head injury clinic. Computer based tests of hazard perception and divided attention were conducted at TRL, and a driving assessment was carried out at a mobility centre. The results showed a consistent relationship between assessments of fitness to drive made by the clinician and the driving adviser. The results also indicated that a small number of tests covering executive functioning and divided attention could provide a basis to inform a provisional diagnosis of fitness to drive. The small sample size means that the findings are only indicative and will need validation over a range of different services and assessment centres. (A)
Abstract