Driving with Parkinsons
 

Does anyone know what the restrictions are when driving? Do the doctors discourage Parkinson's patients from driving? My main symptom is my feet freezing. My tremor is under control, as well as my stiffness. Ironically, I can walk backwards, sideways, and go up and down stairs, I just can't go forward. Do other people have this as well?

Any responses would be great!

Driving
 

Have you tried to drive? You sound like me before DBS. I used to freeze but if you got me to a staircase I could go up and down all day long. I could not drive because I couldn't trust my feet to hit the gas or brake pedal. After DBS I tried again but I found that if it was closing in on my next pill I still would have the loss of sensation in my feet. The car that I drive has a brake pedal that has a lot of travel and pushing it down I hit the gas a few times so I am a passenger only till something changes. It's actually not so bad if you have a friendly driver.

Caution about driving
 

I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but....the driving issue is a huge one. I read of a situation overseas where a PWP was involved in an accident, and the insurance company denied coverage on the grounds that he had not advised them that he had PD, and had he done that, they would never have insured him, and so therefore denied him coverage based on false information. I can see this happening more and more as insurers try to limit their liability-almost anything is fair game, but how horrible!

You might want to contact your insurance company and ask what their policy is-are you required to advise/update them of any condition that you may be dx'd with after you get/renew your policy as a condition of coverage? Perhaps consult with an attorney-he/she would be able to advise you of any potential liability in your area if you were involved in an accident.

And even if you have coverage, there is the issue of the unpredictabilty of PD. Meds wear off, sometimes when unexpectedly or suddenly.

I also read a study in which doctors and driving instructors rated the driving ability of various PWP, and the PWP also rated themselves. Not surprisingly, the PWP rated themselves much higher than the doctors and instructors...the doctors rated the PWP higher than the instructors, and the instructors rated almost every PWP in the small study as someone who should not be driving. If I remember correctly, it was primarily the reaction time that was the issue.

Talk with family & friends , get their input, if they think you are safe to drive or not..
My dad made the decision himself when he felt he couldn't react quickly or control /feel where his feet were on the pedals..
Or ask your doctors if they feel you can be a safe driver, but they might cover their rear and pull your driving privileges even if you still are safe..
I'd ask all those others before saying anything to your ins agent or Ins company..
Plus if any cognitive issues , that is another factor..

If you knowingly drive while impaired in any way, the Ins companies & probably police also will frown on that if something does happen..

How would you feel if a child darted into the road and your foot was frozen or your reaction time was slow? Maybe it's a mother driving a van full of kids and you couldn't react?

I sold my car over a year ago but I stopped driving long time before. Another benefit is no car insurance bill. I get by with friends or a car service.