Focus and driving - what are… | enableme - stroke recovery and support | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Focus and driving - what are the recommendations given to people who have had Strokes returning to drive?

Nina Wildeon August 5, 2017

4 Responses

I am asking this question as to know what recommendations people are given to assist with driving and focus. I wanted to share somethings I have learn't over the years and see if these are in fact ideas which help assist when driving. 1. I do not use a Bluetooth device to talk on my phone while driving. I pull over to answer a call if I can, or I get our daughter to answer it. Or it can wait till later. 2. I concentrate on driving not on who I might see on the road - this in a small town can be quite challenging as I am told I often snob people to which I reply - I was concentrating, let me be! 3. I don't eat and drive either, nor drink a hot drink and drive. In saying this, yes I have the radio on and yes I am able to carry out a conversation while driving. Both of these things were not something I did immediately, they were a gradual improvement. I just wondered about this topic as a member of our Stroke Support Group recently regained her license.

4 Responses

StrokeLine

15/08/2017 07:08

Hi there,

It’s very important firstly to understand the rules around driving after stroke. You must not drive for at least four weeks after a stroke. If you have a commercial driving licence, different restrictions apply. If you have a commercial driving licence, you must not drive for three months after a stroke. After this time, before you start driving again, you need medical clearance from your doctor. You may also need an occupational therapy driving assessment.

Our driving factsheet has all the details on the pathway back to driving, and what happens if that’s not possible: https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Help-after-stroke/Stroke-resources-and-fact-sheets/Driving-fact-sheet

Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’d like more information or support (1800 787 653, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday).

All the best,

Stephanie (Social Work student for StrokeLine)

StrokeLine

15/08/2017 07:17

Hi Sue

This is a great question and a good topic. We recently updated the driving fact sheet and I was very struck by health professional advice about how complex driving a task driving is. When you think about it, you are constantly processing information from a range of sources, making decisions and taking action quickly while driving. So reducing distraction like you do is very important. This is true for everyone, but especially something to think about when you are returning to driving after stroke.

Cheers Jude

Nina Wilde

15/08/2017 10:32

Hi Jude and Stephanie,

Thank you for your responses and yes I will have a look at the updated Fact Sheets on driving. It's good to gain up to date information, my focus on driving has continued throughout my years of driving after my stroke and I am happy to have passed these important messages of concentration on to our kids.

Thank you Sue

Lyn1956

03/05/2018 07:52

Very helpful.

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Focus and driving - what are the recommendations given to people who have had Strokes returning to drive?

Nina Wildeon August 5, 2017

4 Responses

StrokeLine

15/08/2017 07:08

Hi there,

Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’d like more information or support (1800 787 653, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday).

All the best,

Stephanie (Social Work student for StrokeLine)

StrokeLine

15/08/2017 07:17

Hi Sue

Cheers Jude

Nina Wilde

15/08/2017 10:32

Hi Jude and Stephanie,

Thank you Sue

Focus and driving - what are the recommendations given to people who have had Strokes returning to drive?

Focus and driving - what are the recommendations given to people who have had Strokes returning to drive?

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