When someone has a seizure, they\u2019re not allowed to drive for a certain period of time. Now in Pennsylvania, that time has been reduced.<\/p>\n
Mom of two, Sarah Carson of Charleroi, is always on the go: to practice, to games, from one game to the other. \u201cIt never ends. I feel like a taxi at times!\u201d Sarah told us.<\/p>\n
She doesn\u2019t take a minute for granted that she has behind the wheel because she didn\u2019t have her license for a year. Sarah had seizure-like episodes due to a medical condition, and that\u2019s what caused her to lose her driving privileges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But now, people in Pennsylvania who have a seizure won\u2019t have to wait as long to drive again.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, the law changed in Pennsylvania, reducing the amount of time someone must wait after having a seizure to start driving again. It was 6 months. Now it\u2019s 3.<\/p>\n
Dr. Andrea Synowiec with AHN helped to push for the change.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe data suggests that not only is three months probably enough to catch the highest risk group, but that six months or even a year in some states is such a long restriction that people tend to avoid talking to their physicians or giving them potentially inaccurate information so that they\u2019re not restricted at all,\u201d said the vice chair of neurology for Allegheny Health Network.<\/p>\n
We asked Dr. Synowiec if other drivers on the roads should be concerned by the change.\u00a0She pointed to a regulation change in Arizona, which went from a 12-month driving restriction after a seizure to 3 months.<\/p>\n
\u201c(We) looked at before and after, and there was really no change in the amount of crashes before and after that big regulation change,\u201d said Dr. Synowiec.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been really nice,\u201d Sarah said. \u201cIt\u2019s still kind of odd that I get to go in the car and drive when I want and not have to rely on someone or work around somebody\u2019s schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Synowiec hopes the change will mean patients will be more honest with their doctors about their seizures, knowing driving restrictions aren\u2019t as severe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd also help them keep their livelihood. Help them hopefully keep their jobs. It won\u2019t be as hindering to their lives as hopefully mine was,\u201d Sarah commented.<\/p>\n
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