Citation

Matsuura M. Brain Nerve 2013; 65(1): 67-75.

Affiliation

Section of Biofunctional Informatics, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Igaku Shoin)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23300104

Abstract

The amends to the driving regulations in Japan made in 2002 lifted the absolute ban on driving by persons with epilepsy (PWE) and granted licenses to PWE after a 2-year seizure-free period. In 2010, 3,373 PWE obtained a driving license, 119 had their license withheld for <6 months, and 177 were rejected. In this year, 71 traffic accidents resulting in injury or death were thought to be caused by epileptic seizures, and only 5 drivers who were PWE notified the driving authority of their condition. This suggests that seizure-related accidents are mainly caused by drivers who do not comply with the regulations. According to doctors specialized for epilepsy, measures to solve the problems of the present regulations include shortening the seizure-free period and lengthening the withholding period to qualify as fit-to-drive and devising special driving guidelines for conditions such as a provoked seizure, an acute symptomatic seizure, and the first unprovoked seizure. To improve compliance to traffic regulations and to reduce traffic accidents, the Japan Epilepsy Society passed a proposal of more liberal rules for fitness-to-drive on 11th October 2012; according to this proposal, people with a history of epilepsy can be declared fit-to-drive after a one-year seizure-free period. On 25th October 2012, the Japan License Authority introduced new penal regulations for PWE who do not comply with traffic regulations and proposed a voluntary notification system for a physician in charge of a non-compliant PWE. Public acceptance of these new regulations is needed for reconciliation between the attenuation of traffic accidents and the promotion of living rights of PWE in Japan.

Language: ja