Frequency of physician counseling and attitudes toward driving motor vehicles in people with epilepsy: Comparing a mandatory-reporting with a voluntary-reporting state

Driving for the person with epilepsy (PWE) remains an important issue. Requirements for reporting PWE to driving authorities vary across the United States. We studied the prior experiences of PWE regarding counseling for driving in a reporting state (37% in New Jersey) and a nonreporting state (52% in Arizona). A prospective voluntary anonymous survey was conducted among patients with new-onset epilepsy at two epilepsy referral centers. Subjects were queried about prior interactions with health care professionals regarding attitudes toward and knowledge of driving regulations. Practitioners caring for PWE are in the position to provide advice and counsel regarding driving regulations. Fifty percent or fewer subjects were appropriately counseled, regardless of residence requirements. PWE felt they were honest with their physician and 10% of subjects have driven against medical advice. A performance gap exists in the appropriate counseling regarding driving for PWE that has potentially significant safety and legal implications.