When should my husband with PSP stop driving? He drives short distances maybe 20 mins. 2 or 3 times a week. I let him do grocery shopping as that's about the only walking exercise he gets and he appears to want to do it. Makes excuses even to go get something. I only go with him now and then and he seems to be OK. Any thoughts?
Driving!!: When should my husband with PSP... - PSP Association
Driving!!
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daffodil48
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Mum persuaded dad to stop before he was diagnosed. He seemed to miss judge the position of the car etc.
He still had his licence when he got his actual diagnosis but we all agreed that it was best for him and everyone else on the road for him to stop.
It's best to surrender your licence than to have it taken away also you have to think of others safety as well as your own.
Pj
Hi Daffodil and welcome;
This is a tough one: while I agree safety is paramount, its also important not to limit activity too early if husband IS still safe. If his reaction time is still normal and cognitive capacity still good etc. In my community most primary physicians are prepared to test a person to determine this.
My husband decided himself he didnt want to drive any more. He felt he was too slow. Of course I suported his decision, but it was a huge change in his independence and our life.
Best wishes for your decision 
Anne G.
If he is driving on UK roads he needs to tell the DVLA and his insurance company........
I have just looked at your profile and you live in the USA........ maybe you only need to inform your insurance company ?
Its a no brainer psp and driving don't mix .would you let him drive any grandchildren to school , or greatgrandchildren to nursery....Brenda
In the U.K. we must notify the DVLA of any changes to health that could affect driving - neurological conditions certainly come under that description. I would think that it would be a requirement in US too. I would imagine that car insurance could be void if you don’t notify your insurance company of any changes in circumstances and you subsequently have an accident.
After reading your post describing your husband’s symptoms I would strongly advise speaking to your neurologist and insurance company. Hopefully the neurologist will take the responsibility away from you, so that your husband will not associate you as being the cause of him having to stop driving. Unfortunately, PSP is very unpredictable and your husband’s reflexes and reactions can change without warning, Good luck JR61 x
I guess my husband is very lucky ,right now. The PBP has no only affected his speech and swallowing. He was out doing yard work this morning. He drive's everywhere and went hunting last fall.
My husband ha e up his license voluntarily after he nearly killed us on the 403
Satt2015• in reply to
Bloody hell! X
Brenive• in reply to
Glad he gave up his licence. Also glad yourok...Brenda
Now! Some have read this before from me but when my husband asked the neurologist if he could continue driving, when we had just received the diagnosis, he said it wasn’t his place to stop him but many people with PSP are first diagnosed at post-mortem after killing themselves in a car or after investigations because they have killed someone else.
It’s hard to give up your licence but better that than kill or injure yourself, or someone else. I took away my husband’s keys after discussing it with him but let him keep his licence ( I know I should have handed it in) but he liked it in his wallet and often looked at it.
My husband’s driving deteriorated before diagnosis. He could drive for mile seemingly OK until we entered a roundabout when he couldn’t look left or right as his eyes were fixed.
Even if you go with him, unless you have a dual control car, you won’t be able to stop an accident and the first one could be his and your last.
XxxX
Sorry, I agree with NannaB. My husband's driving was appalling. His spacial awareness totally went. I thought he had had another stroke, so stopped him driving. That lead us to diagnoses of PSP. When we saw the consultant, he asked if Steve was still driving,I said No. His reply was Good! In other words, don't let him.
I know how hard this is, but the last thing you want is an accident. What if he killed a child?
Lots of love
Anne
Not a one size fits all situation, and it has everything to do with how the disease progresses.
My guy's neurologist and GP wanted him off the road immediately and reported his diagnosis to the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Kind of ticked me off at the time. We felt it was premature and had not been adequately discussed with us. So he took a driving test and passed with flying colors. He kept working and driving another 2 years. Eventually he found it harder to do it well, and he realized it. He started letting me drive more and more, moved in with me and stopped driving, pretty much on his own.
I'm glad he had his independence and his job as long as he did.
I should say his neurologist also seriously doubted he would be able to walk his daughter down the aisle when that came along later, just wrote him a prescription for a wheelchair months before the wedding. He did it, of course, and gave his little speech and danced with her, too. Stubborn man, brave man.
Good luck. It's a hard decision.
Love, Ec
Please have him stop driving as soon as possible. We learned the hard way that we should have stepped in sooner when my mom caused a very bad car accident.
My husband had no idea how bad his driving was,he nearly killed us and others and this was a year before he was diagnosed with PSP.Trust your instincts. It could be some else life at stake.
Dee
My husbands neurologist advised him to hand his licence in on diagnosis, he really wasn't safe driving it was a white knuckle ride going anywhere ashe used to misjudge distance at junctions and when overtaking x
Without reading the other replies first I suppose it all depends on how he is, ie falling etc, how are his eyes?
We insisted my dad stop driving early on as his driving was becoming dangerous!
Basically what I’m saying if you think there’s any danger involved then driving MUST stop! X
He will not love you for telling him not to drive!but spacial awareness became an issue. Des was so unsafe eventually after a lot of subterfuge I persuaded him to give up. Later he told me he had decided for himself after repeatedly hitting the grass verge on the right hand side of road!!Joggers and cyclists often are wearing headphones and dont hear cars coming. It may not be easy to persuade him Good luck! P
David stopped driving even b4 his diagnosisof CBD it wasnt safe for us or the general public, in fact it made me feel ill as a passenger 😲
Hi
Prior to diagnosis my husband had 3 to 4 small 'knocks' with the car.
I started to feel really unsafe as a passenger beside him as his judgement of distance seemed very impaired. I started doing all of the driving and he gave up his license remarkably well.
I would urge you to consult DVLA and your GP but in my case Geoff had to stop driving even before diagnosis and I urge you not to put him or others at risk.
Good Luck and sending warm wishes
Pam
He probably shouldn’t drive. His response time will diminish with the disease progression.
J was on a steep hill with traffic lights and he rolled back and hit the car behind so his family had his license revoked some years ago. He did try to appeal but to no avail.
George stopped driving long before he was diagnosed xxxx
It is the first of many hard things you will do.
If you are asking the question... it is probably close to the right time.
It is a good thing... that feels awful to do. Be strong.
My neurologist filled out and the paper away to MTO- Ministry of Transportation Ontario before I even left the office. I would never want to responsible for hurting someone.
I was hoping you and others who had to give up driving would reply here, Tim. It's such a hard thing to face.
In the UK the neurologist said it was his duty to inform the authorities. Taking a driving test might help if you feel he is safe. I knew my husband wasn't.
x
This is a subject that we have just dealt with. I took Bob’s keys a few months ago. He didn’t even notice for quite a while since I have done all the driving for some time when we go anywhere together. He was not happy ... we had the ‘what if you hit someone just walking down the road?’ conversation. He promised he would only drive as far as the hardware store; and I also made him promise to listen to me if I told him no if I could tell that he was in one of his spacey times. While I was visiting my daughter, he called me to say he was going to drive someplace a whole lot further than the hardware store. I could tell from his voice that he didn’t sound good, told him no, he went anyway. Fortunately, he did not get in an accident. But when he got home, he then hid his own keys so I wouldn’t take them. Boy, did I regret ever giving in to him. Fortunately, I found them and now they are all mine!! No second chances here. I agree with kmacgamwell, if you’re asking the question, it’s probably time.
xoDorie
Dear Daffodil
Such a difficult decision to make. My hubby was diagnosed relatively early but in the year before diagnosis he took multiple wing mirrors off passenger side. He informed DVLA and his insurance who both requested docs certificates to state fitness to drive. I was really worried about his increasing lack of spatial awareness and was so relieved when he voluntarily gave up driving before his license was revoked.
The slower processing and visual problems I think pose a huge risk to everyone., driver passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
Love Tippy
I would say stop driving. Spacial awareness and sight problems are the reason my wife had to stop. Peter.
Daffodil48 , I have just read all the posts to my husband Ivor , and he has asked me to write this for him. Give up your licence, if you in anyway you think your drivng is not up scratch. You as his carer have a responsibility to ensure his wellbeing at all times. Please read this to your husband. I am pleased that I no longer have to drive. ......ivor ......Hope this is helpfull to you and any other psp suffers.....Brenda xx
Ps , my husband has been very emotional this morning , he just wanted to have his say , even if it was though many tears. ( From me I think they are good tears. )...Brenda
My Mum was still driving up until her diagnosis. It was the neurologist who told her she had to give up,her licence. She had symptoms for about 3 or 4 years before being diagnosed . Difficult one really . Love Steph x
With Ben it wasn't slow reaction but special awareness, he was driving very close to the middle of the road or very near to the kerb. It frightened the life out of me. In the end I refused to be driven by him and contacted the neurologist to advise that I didn't think he was safe to drive. Ben was furious and said I was trying to ruin his life. However he soon got over the shock and never mention driving again.
Love Kate xx
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