Sudden death while driving

Abstract

Sudden death of cardiac origin in drivers of motor vehicles has been perceived to be a danger to other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and property, and in provinces other than Ontario people with a history of cardiac disease are not permitted to hold a commercial driver's licence. An examination of the literature indicates that injury or death of others occurs rarely when someome dies while driving. It is postulated that drivers who have a myocardial infarction experience warning symptoms, which allows them to take action to prevent a serious accident. It is suggested that a history of heart disease should not necessarily prevent people from holding a commercial driver's licence.