Driving means freedom. If you can drive, you can take yourself to work, to the store, to visit friends — anywhere you need or want to go. However, driving is a complex skill. If you have Parkinson’s disease, you may not be able to drive safely.
The main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include tremors (shaking), slowness of movement, and stiffness (rigidity). Shaking and rigidity can affect your arms, hands, and legs — even when you are relaxed. You may have difficulty turning the steering wheel, using the gas and brake pedals, and operating turn signals and other car features. Slowed movement may make you unable to react quickly to road hazards, poor weather, and other drivers.
In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, you can probably still drive safely. If you take medicines that help ease your symptoms, you can probably still drive safely. Staying fit and active can help you maintain the muscle strength and coordination you need to drive safely.
If you are concerned about your ability to drive safely with Parkinson’s disease, talk to your friends and family. Ask someone you trust to tell you whether or not you are capable of driving. Talk to your doctor about medications to help treat your symptoms. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a specialist who can give you a driving test and help you improve your driving skills. Learn more about driver rehabilitation from the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to an occupational therapist to help asses your driving skills and determine whether or not it is safe for you to continue being on the road.
Cutting back or giving up on driving doesn’t mean you have to give up your independence. Family and friends may be able to help you get around. You also may have access to taxis, public transportation, and local transportation services for seniors. ElderCare can help you find a local agency to help you find transportation.