P.021 Seizures among drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

Background: Regulation of drivers licences aims to strike a balance between autonomy and public safety. In Newfoundland and Labrador, an individual experiencing seizures must have a 6-month seizure-free interval before a driving licence is reinstated, although exceptions apply. There is a paucity of data surrounding driving safety in people with epilepsy. Methods: The Department of Motor Vehicles and Registration extracted data from the charts of drivers experiencing seizures for the period between 2010-2014, inclusive. Two groups were examined: drivers aged 16-24 (n=104) and 75+ (n=115). Given that mandatory reporting is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, this theoretically represents a population-based study. Results: Overall, 5.1% of the population experienced a motor vehicle collision, and collisions were more frequent among younger drivers. Significantly more people in the 75+ category had a medical history that could have contributed to seizures. Only 37.6% of the overall sample had their first seizure reported. This was not different between age groups or seizure types (generalized vs. focal). Though the age groups differed with respect to seizure type, this did not affect driving safety, as measured by motor vehicle collisions and driving disobedience. Conclusions: We found a high rate of driving disobedience despite the requirement for mandatory reporting and seizure type did not affect driving safety.