Medical Conditions and Driving: A Review of the Literature (1960 – 2000)
TRD Page
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Section1: Introduction
Section 2: Vision
Section 3: Hearing
Section 4: Cardiovascular
Section 5: Cerebrovascular
Section 6: Peripheral Vascular
Section 7: Nervous System
Section 8: Respiratory
Section 9: Metabolic
Section 10: Renal
Section 11: Musculoskeletal
Section 12: Psychiatric
Section 13: Drugs
Section 14: Aging Driver
Section 15: Anesthesia and Surgery
Appendix A
List of Tables
List of Figures
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Section 8: Respiratory Diseases

8.3 Other Pulmonary Conditions

Evidence from a study conducted in Utah indicates that individuals with pulmonary conditions (conditions not specified) are at a higher risk for crashes (Diller et al., 1998-see Section 2.1 a., page 4 for details of the study). With respect to pulmonary conditions, the driving records of 5,055 drivers with unrestricted licenses and 572 drivers with restricted licenses were compared to controls. Unrestricted drivers had a significantly higher relative risk for crashes (RR = 1.96, CI = 1.80 - 2.14). The results for the restricted drivers were non-significant (RR = 0.65, CI = 0.39 - 1.10).

Table 23  Guidelines for Respiratory Diseases (Reproduced with permission)

Illness

Austroads (1998)

CMA (2000)

Asthma

No restrictions if well controlled and no significant side effects from medications. Should not drive for 2 weeks following admission to an Intensive Care Unit or if experienced Loss of Consciousness.

Not addressed.

Carcinoma of Lung

Not addressed.

Not addressed.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Can drive if well-controlled and no significant side effects from the condition or medication.

No or Mild Impairment
Can usually drive.

Moderate or Severe Impairment
Driving permitted.

Moderate Impairment requiring supplemental O2 .
Road test with supplemental O2 . Remain under close and regular supervision.

Oxygen Therapy

Not addressed.

See Moderate Impairment with O2 guidelines above.

Post-Thoracotamy

Should not drive for 4 weeks post-surgery.

Not addressed.

Recurrent Pneumothorax

Should not drive for 2 weeks post pneumothorax unless cleared by physician.

Not addressed.

Respiratory Failure

Should not drive if becomes significantly dyspneic when walking on level surface.

See COPD guidelines for degree of impairment.

Tracheostomy

May drive if clinically stable.

Should be able to drive if individual has no difficulty keeping the opening clear of mucus provided that the medical condition necessitating the tracheostomy does not preclude driving.

Tuberculosis

May drive.

Not addressed.

DLA = Driver Licensing Authority

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