[Traffic violations in schizophrenics before and after hospitalization]

Many countries, including Israel, impose driving restrictions on schizophrenic patients. However, there are conflicting views as to the way these patients drive. Some studies suggest that compared to the nonpsychiatric population they violate traffic regulations more often, but other studies have found no differences between the 2 groups. In the present study (1980-81), the driving of schizophrenic patients was examined with regard to traffic violations and fines, 6 years before and 6 years after hospitalization. Of the 82 schizophrenic patients examined, 15 were paranoid. The schizophrenic patients did not accumulate more traffic violations or fines than the control group, nor was there any difference between paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenic patients. Men had fewer traffic violations and fines after hospitalization, while in women there was no difference.