This paper reports on the driving behavior, especially the frequency of driving an automobile and characteristics associated with driving, for individuals with refractory localization-related epilepsy. Individuals were interviewed when they presented for surgical evaluation in an ongoing, prospective, multicenter study of epilepsy surgery. Of 367 eligible participants, almost one-third had driven in the last year, most on at least a weekly basis. In a multivariate analysis, factors associated with an increased likelihood of driving were having a current license and ever having had a license. Young individuals were more likely to drive, while women, individuals who were self-described as disabled, and those who were employed were less likely to drive. At some point in the past, 144 individuals experienced one or more seizures while driving. 98 individuals experienced at least one accident due to a seizure, with 94% of these reporting property damage, 32% receiving an injury and 20% causing injury to others.
Abstract