Are you ever afraid that you might have a seizure when you are driving?  Have you ever experienced this before.  I know I’m always afraid when my friend drives us.  Usually he says he can tell if he is going to have a seizure (he gets really tired).

How do you control your epilepsy enough to feel comfortable to drive?

My brother always wanted to learn how to drive but my parents forbade him to drive. I agree with my parents because its the best for him. His seizures are unpredictable and we can’t let him drive with that in mind.

It seems to me that I’ve relatively little about people driving who may experience seizures.

I’d expect that some companies may have policies against hiring drivers in that situation, but are there any areas with laws addressing it?

These two links may be helpful depending on where everyone here resides. Its one of the first things I thought about when I found out I had JME. Just learning to drive at first without sneezing was one thing, then add JME and you had one freaked out young driver.

PSSG http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/publications/factsheets/Epilepsy.pdf
US Drivers/Other http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/rights_driving

It’s a tough situation. Someone with the condition may feel offended if you tell him not to drive. Just try not to put him in such a situation that he has chance to drive.

My daughter is 18 now, and she isn’t able to drive because of her seizures. We tried a few different things to see if maybe they were getting better, but it looks like driving just isn’t going to be an option for her.

I had a cousin who had epilepsy and drove himself to and from his work. He had a seizure while driving and unfortunately met an accident that took his life. He had been driving for so many years, that it was really unexpected.

We wouldn’t allow our nephew to drive even if he is legally allowed to drive. It is for his own safety why we forbid him from driving. There are other things that he can safely do.

I think driving is an intense activity. It will surely trigger a seizure if a person with epilepsy is driving in rush hours and is already late for the appointments.

It is against the law to drive in my state with a history of seizures.  I have always wanted to drive but if an accident took someone else’s life I would never be able to forgive myself.

It is also illegal to drive in my state if you have had seizures within six months.  Obviously you run the risk of endangering yourself and other drivers.  If you feel that you have your seizures under control or can undoubtedly sense an impending episode in time to safely do something about it, then it’s a decision an adult should be able to make for him or herself.

I know it sucks not being able to drive but you really have to weigh your own and other’s safety against the risk. Is it really really worth it to be able to drive?

I just don’t think it’s worth the risk. I also just read a story about the increased incidence of diabetics in accidents as well from driving when their blood sugar is too high or too low.

My friend does drive and he has seizures from time to time.  Usually he can feel when one is coming or so he says.  I didn’t know that it was illegal to drive if you have seizures.  It makes sense, but it also seems a bit unfair.

It might seem unfair but I think it’s for the safety of not only yourself but others on the road too.  I bet if you have mild seizures or epilepsy without seizures you could probably drive.
I would feel terrible if I had a seizure when I was driving and hurt someone.