Stroke Victims Overestimate Their Ability to Drive
"The decision to resume driving after stroke can be complicated by the sequelae of stroke as well as the established finding that even healthy adults overestimate their driving ability. This study evaluated whether stroke survivors (n = 67) disproportionately overestimated their driving ability as compared to healthy significant others ( n = 67)," researchers in the United States report.
"Comparison to a known target reduced self-bias among both groups, but shift toward enhanced accuracy was significantly greater among survivors than significant others. Additionally, self-bias may reflect a pervasive trait of cognitive ability, as overestimation of driving ability was paralleled on a cognitive estimation task," wrote C.A. Scott and colleagues, Wayne State University.
The researchers concluded: "Use of a specific criterion can facilitate accurate self-ratings of driving ability among survivors; however, actual decisions regarding driving status may be unrelated to self-view."
Scott and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology (Self-assessment of driving ability and the decision to resume driving following stroke. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 2009;31(3):353-362).
My dad had a mild stroke, which effects his right leg. He was given a driving assessment test(at the hospital thru phys. therapy) by his Dr. He was told he did not pass, and is not allowed to drive. He received a letter stating this. 2 days ago he received a letter from the BMV stating that he had 30 days to take his drivers test, which he immediately went down and signed up for. If he passes the BMV test, which is not as extensive as the doctors test, will he be legal to drive since his doctor has not okay it?
Sandy,
This is a bad situation. If he passes his driver’s test he will be legally able to drive. But the question is should he? IF the DMV were presented with the doctor’s note, they would not pass him. Should he be in an accident there may be liability issues.
My grandmother had a driver’s license and continued to have deteriorating eye sight. I finally took her car keys away. If not for her own safety, for the safety of the victims who might be injured in a car wreck she causes.
It is hard to take a person’s right to drive away. But it is a responsible thing to do when circumstances call for it.
Timothy R. Titolo
Thank you Tim for your response. And the help you offer to everyone you respond to. It is a good thing you are doing.
My dad did take the drivers test, and has not passed, but they issued him permission to drive with a licensed driver for another week. My hope is that he doesn’t pass next Thurs.
May God Bless you, and I sure hope I don’t need anymore help about this!
Sandy
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