Pennsylvania reduces period of time people would be restricted from driving after having a seizure

When someone has a seizure, they’re not allowed to drive for a certain period of time. Now in Pennsylvania, that time has been reduced.

Mom of two, Sarah Carson of Charleroi, is always on the go: to practice, to games, from one game to the other. “It never ends. I feel like a taxi at times!” Sarah told us.

She doesn’t take a minute for granted that she has behind the wheel because she didn’t have her license for a year. Sarah had seizure-like episodes due to a medical condition, and that’s what caused her to lose her driving privileges. 

But now, people in Pennsylvania who have a seizure won’t have to wait as long to drive again.

Earlier this year, the law changed in Pennsylvania, reducing the amount of time someone must wait after having a seizure to start driving again. It was 6 months. Now it’s 3.

Dr. Andrea Synowiec with AHN helped to push for the change. 

“The data suggests that not only is three months probably enough to catch the highest risk group, but that six months or even a year in some states is such a long restriction that people tend to avoid talking to their physicians or giving them potentially inaccurate information so that they’re not restricted at all,” said the vice chair of neurology for Allegheny Health Network.

We asked Dr. Synowiec if other drivers on the roads should be concerned by the change. She pointed to a regulation change in Arizona, which went from a 12-month driving restriction after a seizure to 3 months.

“(We) looked at before and after, and there was really no change in the amount of crashes before and after that big regulation change,” said Dr. Synowiec.

“It’s been really nice,” Sarah said. “It’s still kind of odd that I get to go in the car and drive when I want and not have to rely on someone or work around somebody’s schedule.”

Dr. Synowiec hopes the change will mean patients will be more honest with their doctors about their seizures, knowing driving restrictions aren’t as severe. 

“And also help them keep their livelihood. Help them hopefully keep their jobs. It won’t be as hindering to their lives as hopefully mine was,” Sarah commented.

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