Technological advancements in the automotive industry are making driving more convenient with time. The industry is gradually moving towards self-driving. These cars require minimum human input to function but the driver’s alertness is still required. Therefore, the driver must be in perfect health to drive safely. To cater to this, drivers are suggested to avoid driving when they are under influence of certain medications or are dealing with a health condition. However, these conditions or medications do not disqualify drivers completely from driving, but taking necessary precautions is necessary. This will also secure you from paying traffic fines.
Here we have listed some medical conditions that affect your driving ability. Let’s get through these conditions in detail.
What Medical Conditions Affect your Driving Ability
To pass the driving licence tests in Dubai and other Emirates ideal vision, hearing, cognitive and functional abilities and overall health are required. Minor defunctioning like wearing spectacles can be ignored, but major ones can be a hurdle in getting or renewing a driving licence.
Now the question here is, what medical conditions can stop you from driving? Here we have listed details of such conditions and the precautionary measures that affected individuals should take.
Cataracts
A cataract is a disease that results in blurred vision. It is caused when the lens of an eye becomes opaque and its ability to form an image is affected. The symptoms are mild during the early stage of the disease and gradually get intense as the disease progresses.
In worst-case scenarios, patients might suffer from poor night vision, double vision and glare from car headlights. However, the symptoms are reversible and patients can start driving once it is cured. Along with this, patients can opt for vehicles featuring LED headlights for better visibility.
Dementia
Dementia is a neurological disorder in which patients suffer from memory loss and face difficulty in decision-making. Multiple reasons can cause dementia including brain injury, stroke and other diseases.
The most common issue that dementia patients can face while driving is trouble remembering the route. New cars are equipped with advanced navigation systems and dashboard software like Apple Car Dashboard that can be used to reach the destination. However, if the disease intensifies, it is better not to drive by yourself or use a self-driving car.
Macular Degeneration
Macula degeneration is an age-related disease in which patients lose their ability to differentiate between objects. This is due to the loss of colour sharpness and blurred vision. People suffering from macular degeneration face difficulty in reading signboards, understanding road signs and identifying pedestrians.
Generally, it occurs after 60 years of age and doctors recommend completely withdrawing from driving.
Severe Depression
Patients with severe depression are also suggested to avoid driving in the UAE. The core reason for this is the anti-depressants that can affect your driving ability. However, patients are not completely disqualified from driving, they can hit the road again once the symptoms are controlled.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is also a neurological disorder that causes seizures in the body. These seizures are completely random and can occur without any prior symptoms. Therefore, any individual suffering from the disease is advised not to drive by the doctors until the treatment is completed.
You can also use the right-hand rule to gauge your driving ability with this condition. The right-hand rule states, you should start driving when you are seizure free for at least 6 months.
Moreover, for added safety drive a vehicle with modern car safety features to avoid any unlikely situation.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease are often recommended to take rest by the doctor. This is because of the severe impact that stroke and other related diseases cause on the patient. People suffering from the disease can opt for vehicles with automatic transmission and driver-assist features.
These features can help in reducing the stress and strain caused due to driving. Along with this, try to sit in the best driving position to avoid more stress.
Blackouts
Blackouts are unconscious that can be caused due to multiple reasons. In fact, a healthy individual can also suffer from blackouts due to extreme weather, dehydration or physical exhaustion. A climate control system and a properly functioning AC are necessary to avoid blackouts due to extreme weather.
Certain Operations and Medications
Certain operations and medications can also affect your driving ability. If your abdomen (belly) or leg region is operated it is suggested to avoid driving on longer routes. Similarly, if a doctor prescribes you medicine that can cause drowsiness or blurred vision, then driving by yourself is not a good option. While driving at night, follow these tips for night driving.
Neurological Conditions
Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis are the common neurological disorders that affect driving. The inability to drive with these conditions depends on the intensity of the disease and the symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, you might be able to drive by yourself; however, necessary safety measures are suggested.
These were all the medical conditions that affect your driving. In all the above-mentioned conditions doctors can advise patients regarding their ability to drive. Along with this, they are required to use a medical code and update all the relevant information regarding the patient.
This will help the examiner while issuing or renewing the driving licence of the affected individual. Regardless of the health conditions, it is better to drive a vehicle equipped with modern safety and driver assist features for added safety. You can browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and purchase a vehicle that is suitable for you.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on medical conditions that disqualifies you from driving.
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