Driving

[annie330]

This is. Question I have been avoiding but realise I need to ask - who is still driving?

Thanks

Louise

[KellyO]

Hi Louise,

I drive, I get a bit car sick otherwise it's fine. I have some mind fog, but it hasn't effected my driving. Also, I don't have joint pain.

Happy New Year..

Kelly

[annie330]

Hi Kelly

Thank you for reply im still driving but one of my sisters thinks I need to stop. Not because I have had Ny driving problems but because I had an "episode" on boxing day and he thinks I need to consider stopping. I am diabetic and I on,y get my licence for a maximum of 3 years, it expires in April so I will have o reapply in March.

Thanks

Louise

[Andy_A]

Hi Louise,

I haven't driven further than out of the driveway (we have an awkward drive that my wife wont reverse out of) in 3 years as I suffer from light headedness which comes and goes throughout the day every day.

I used to travel around 40,000 miles a year for work but now I'm very sensitive to oncoming headlights at night and I have trouble "placing" the car on the road, the area I live in has large dykes (drainage ditches) on the sides of almost all rural roads and I will think I'm close to the verge when there can be anything upto 5-6 feet between the car and edge of the road, not a good situation when you have 6 miles of narrow country lanes to contend with every time you go out!

As I dont drive on public roads now I'm not sure on the legal aspect or whether DVLA or insurers need to know, but thats something I'll look into if and when I get back driving.

[jetjetjet]

my out look on this is you , got to know your own limitations, ability, and concern for others,only you know this- i ride alott of differnt ohrvs snowmobiles, dirt bikes, actually- teach saftey for all- 13 years under my belt- 60 ty or so students at a time. most commend thing you teach is know your own limits .as this is what saves lifes, and limbs- education is the best start, any question on your ability------ think again- but sounds like you have a good handle on this, great thing to bring up . congrads - from the heart ---------jet

[jetjetjet]

speaking of driving, tonite , needed a long walk - so i did, cold as he-l, but i think i needed it, 4 miles , it was great!!!!!!!!!! see how i feel in the morning?????? . i may need a wheelchair breakfast. walked to pub , no one i knew, they are all mid- 20 es, felt like child care, oooooS they were the days, good nite all my friends [ even pinky ] ---------------jet

[annie330]

Hi folks, thank you for all your answers. I don't drive if Ive had an episode but generally I feel well enough to drive and I do. I think that I am sensible and I'm sure that my sister brought it up because I was ill on boxing day (but there is no way I would have driven that day even if I had been determined to). All the drs I see know that I drive and have never said that I shouldn't in fact after one spell in hospital it was me that bought it up and they said it was fine to still drive ( my sister had been on to me about it so I told her I would ask them again).

Thanks everyone for your comments and may I wish you all a happy new year and let's hope 2012 is a healthy one for us all.

Kind regards

Louise

[Storky]

I have just gone through a three month, what seemed like quite an extensive evaluation with the DVLA. They collected medical reports from all my Docs AND I had to have sight tests and mapping. I passed it with 100% and I was given a full licence back until I am 70 on Christmas Eve.

Having said all that I know that on dull days, at dusk and when its dark I do not feel confident driving. I was not brilliant before but since my stroke its worse. Not only that but there are days when you are not feeling well that you just would not drive. So you just have to be sensible and know when its time to say NO.

The DVLA would never have given me back my licence if they did not think I was safe to drive or they would have asked for me to be retested in three years or so. So I am confident in my abilities and am sensible in just not getting behind the wheel on days when I feel they may be compromised.

[Sue2803]

I still drive, but not when the light is going as my eye sight is effected. Also am thinking of getting an automatic car to make it a bit easier with the gear stick and left leg when my joints are sore.

Would hate not being able to drive at all.

[judes]

Driving is one of those things that none of us wants to give up, I had to give up 3 years aga as legally my eyesight is not good enough to drive. It was one of the most difficult things to do especailly as I live on my own and the lack of independence was and is awfull. I loved driving and drove all over the country.

It is worth rememebring that any undiclosed medical condition that has the potential to affect your driving must be declared to your insurwance company otherwise it may invalidate your insurance. Legally here in the UK you cannot drive for 6 weeks post stroke if you do again it will invalidate your insurance.

Difficult choices sometimes have to be made from my point of view it was not what I did to myself but the potential to harm others.

[Momamaness]

I drive but lately it seems my fogginess is worse., My daughter told me Thursday that it was the first time my driving scared her..so she is going to do the driving when we are together...I really hope this doesn't get worse as I would hate to give up my independence.

[lucky1]

My licence was suspended following a major stroke (APS caused). Following evaluation and a driving test (lasting one and a half hours) it was reinstated 6 months post. That was almost 12 years ago.

[YvonneW]

I had to apply for a photocard licence when I changed address and answer alot of questions re: my changed medical status (APS and TIAs). Like Hughes patient above, I was without my licence for 3 months pending DVLA review and medical reports etc. My licence was eventually reinstated thank goodness. If you do not declare your medical conditions and you are involved in an accident, your insurance is invalid.

As for driving when tired or 'foggy' - DON'T. It's common sense. I no longer drive on motorways late at night.

[77tiger05]

Have had 4 strokes so haven't driven in the past 16 years. Really a bummer because I used to love to drive!!! Good luck to anyone who can drive, I envie you.

[Helpmewithmess]

I still drive but not far I have not had a stroke or anything. I have a panic disorder an driving is one of my fears. Help!!!!!