I asked my CERE-120 trial Principal Investigator about driving one day, a year or so ago. He gave me this leer and said, "If I had my way, none of you would be driving." I have never forgotten the look on his face and the tone of his words.


Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's 'hinder driving'

Barchester (UK), 27/01/2011

A study, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry found that common Parkinson's symptoms could mean that some people with Parkinson's cannot drive safely.

Researchers compared the driving performance of mild to moderate Parkinson's patients to those of similar ages and driving experience who did not have the condition.

Had to reply to this just for the last sentence in the article - about the study news coming after one green tea! It tickled my sense of humour to wonder whether the green tea was supposed to help non-PDer's keep their driving licenses, or whether it was a plug for the green tea industry........

Just couldn't see what green tea had to do with driving, unless it meant more pit stops....

Yes, it is rather odd, isn't it? There is absolutely no segue. It was if the person didn't know how to end the article, so topped it off with a trite study on prevention, and it's not like he could get away with encouraging the masses to take up smoking, so it was tea, by default.

Still, I get so worked up over this issue, I probably would have socked that investigator in the mouth claiming out of control dyskinesia was at fault. I mean why didn't he just come out and say "we shouldn't be allowed to leave the house" period. Really, Digger, you are brave. After his leer, tone, and contemptuous manner, I would not have trusted this person to inject me with anything! I can see them arguing that meds can cause you to fall asleep at the wheel or that dyskinesias can impact safety, but working memory problems? How is not remembering the speed limit any different from driving with 80% of people on the road who choose to ignore it? Even the researchers conclude that in all other areas beyond recalling the speed limit the PD person did as well as non-PD drivers! So I fail to see a big concern unless you start to jumble up traffic signals or what not....

Isn't it bad enough we already have enough taken from us with the disease alone without others stepping into the mix and stirring up the pot with pseudo-science? If we, are so rare in number, especially us YO folks, how can we be statistically more dangerous than the people I see on the way into work who are putting on eye shadow, reading, texting or otherwise multi-tasking behind the steering wheel? Is this going to somehow turn into something else that pharma can eventually "fix" with a pill?

I know that there will come a time when I should no longer be driving, but I want that to be of my own volition and with feedback from family and friends who ride with me on a regular basis and input from my doctor. It is almost as we are pariahs. Where are the studies on people who have bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, migraines... really any number of health conditions could be called out on this, so why us? What are they driving at?

So, it will come down to a doctor using clinical observation to "rate" us on driving ability. Yet, again a medical authority in control of my life. I just wonder if the doctors who rat us out will get kickbacks from the auto insurers? What happens when they won't cover us? Really this needs to stop; They can't even tell us with absolute certainty I have PD, so until they tell me that statistically, PWP have caused x time more accidents than a control group, then they need to lay off with the specious "research".

Laura

Laura, I agree

Maybe I HAVE lost some driving ability, but:
-- I don't talk on the phone when I drive
-- I don't eat when i drive
-- i only take a quick drink of water at stop signs
-- I keep both hands on the wheel
-- I don't put on make-up when I drive (I used to commute in the DC area and you saw everything)

So if they are going to measure my driving ability, measure it against the drivers without PD who talk on the phone while eating and putting on make-up (or shaving).

Jean

I know I get too worked up over this, and I fully understand at the level of sudden sleep onset, nor would I ever consider driving under-medicated. I learned that being over-medicated is just as questionable for entirely different reasons. That, if they were conducting research to actually help us live life to our full potential, would be welcome to know that even being slightly dyskinetic and driving do not mix. However, it more feels like we are being targeted and labeled; this is the troubling thing.

I read so many posts on YO forum about folks who inadvertently spilled the beans at motor vehicles department and lived to regret it. They now need submit neuro's permission, plus more frequent testing, must inform auto insurer, opens a Pandora's box...