Motor vehicle crashes and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate differences in the incidence of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis (MS) when cognitive impairment is present. Design: Archival evaluation of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records. Setting: Medical rehabilitation research organization. Participants: Community-dwelling drivers, 27 subjects with documented MS (14 MS without cognitive impairment [MS-], 13 MS with cognitive impairment [MS+]) and 17 healthy control subjects, matched on age, sex, and driving experience. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence of MVCs and motor vehicle violations as documented by DMV reports for the past 5 years. Results: MS + subjects showed a higher incidence of MVCs when compared with control and MS - subjects. No significant difference in the incidence of motor vehicle violations was observed between groups. Conclusions: The presence of cognitive impairment in drivers with MS can result in an increased risk of MVC involvement. ©2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.