J Korean Neurol Assoc.
2001 Sep;19(5):485-488.
Epilepsy and driving: A survey on the Opinions of Korean Neurologists
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: In Korea, the law to restrict epilepsy patients from driving automobiles does not exist. However, the need for a regulatory law is controversial due to conflicting interests of the right to drive and the safety of those on the road. We investigated the opinions of Korean neurologists on this matter.
METHODS
223 neurologists participated in this survey. They answered a questionnaire comprised of 15 questions.
RESULTS
The results of the survey are as follows: the regulation should be legislated (94.6%), the decision on the patient's driving must be done by the doctor (83.4%), the patient's driving is reported obligatorily (33.2%), the duration for the restriction should be 24 months (30%), the renewal of the driving license should be done every other year, the escaping rebuke for the reporter is also needed (90.6%), and the draft for the regulation should be composed by the Korean Epilepsy Society (74%).
CONCLUSIONS
Many Korean neurologists agree that regulation of epilepsy patients who want to drive is needed. The new regulatory law should include general and individual restrictions based upon the conditions made by the Korean Epilepsy Society and must be accepted by the patients and other members of the society. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(5):485~488, 2001)
