Authorities in the UAE need to provide clear guidelines and regulations for drivers who suffer from epilepsy, says Dubai-based neurologist Dr Arne Brosig from German Center for Neurology and Psychiatry (GNP).
In the UAE there are no restrictions or public guidelines for people prone to epileptic seizures. However, many other countries have controls in place to prevent epilepsy-related accidents.
The most recent local study by the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine in United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, concluded patients with conditions such as epilepsy should inform traffic authorities or the health authorities about their condition. It claimed incidents could be greatly reduced if appropriate action was taken concerning epileptic drivers and made these recommendations to UAE traffic and health authorities.
Dr Brosig said: “People living with epilepsy should be allowed to drive but only under certain conditions, and the rules should be clear and strictly enforced. There should also be clear guidelines for UAE drivers who are diagnosed with the condition.
“For instance, in the UK you can apply or reapply for a licence as long as you have been completely free from seizures for one year or, if you have experienced sleep seizures only, for a period of at least three years and only if the driving agency is satisfied that as a driver you are not likely to be a source of danger to the public.”
Dubai Road Transport Authority’s licensing director, Ali Al Jassim, explained that Dubai’s Licensing Agency has had discussion with Dubai Police as well as Dubai Health Authorities on this subject. “If the person with the illness is detected during the training period before licensing, the issue is reported to the licensing authorities. The licensing authority then refers the person to the health authorities for proper medical evaluation. Driving students will be required to submit a relevant medical report where appropriate actions will be taken based on the recommendations of the medical report.
“If epilepsy is detected after the license has been issued, such as due to involvement in an accident, Dubai Police will refer the issue to the health authorities and the licensing authorities will be notified. The licensing authority may decide to take necessary and appropriate actions with regards to the person's driver's license if the medical report shows evidence of such illness,” he said.
When asked whether the Licensing Agency plans to make guidelines for epilepsy sufferers public, Al Jassim explained: “I believe this issue requires a comprehensive study and there is a plan to conduct a dedicated project, which will include the proper guidelines, among other things. Once this is completed, information will be made available on the website.”
In many countries, such as the UK, anyone who suffers even a minor seizure has to inform the vehicle licensing authorities, who will suspend the licence for at least a year. The patient can then reapply for their licence after twelve months provided they remain seizure-free over that period. The effects of this can be severe, especially if they have a job which requires driving. Therefore it is thought many epileptics are prepared to run the risk of a subsequent seizure while driving rather than inform the DVLA.
Brosig added: “Epilepsy often displays itself in the sudden occurrence of fits. Very often this leads to a serious disturbance or even complete loss of consciousness. Even small fits whereby loss of consciousness doesn’t occur, this may severely impair the ability to drive. Such fits can cause vision disturbance or cramps which can have dire consequences for driver, passengers and others.
“Few traffic accidents turn out to be harmless. More often serious injuries are caused which may have lasting consequences or which may even have a deadly outcome. Therefore it is crucial authorities monitor this correctly and epilepsy sufferers themselves seek professional advice when it comes to driving.“
