[Automobile driving capacity in dementia].

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Geriatrics
• Traffic Safety

Background:

• Dementia significantly affects driving ability, even in early stages.
• Approximately 16,000 Swiss drivers are diagnosed with dementia annually, raising concerns about road safety.
• Executive function deficits in early dementia can lead to dangerous driving behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate driving aptitude in individuals with early-stage dementia.
• To determine the role of cognitive tests and on-road assessments in evaluating driving capabilities.
• To present a practical approach for primary care physicians assessing driving fitness in dementia patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of driving aptitude in mild versus moderate dementia.
• Discussion of the limitations of standard cognitive screening tests (MMSE, CDT, TMT) for driving assessment.
• Emphasis on physician-guided on-road driving tests as a practical evaluation tool.

Main Results:

• Mild dementia does not automatically disqualify drivers; up to half may drive for 1-3 more years.
• Moderate dementia invariably results in loss of driving aptitude.
• Standard cognitive tests are insufficient for driving aptitude evaluation but useful for initial dementia diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Driving aptitude assessment must consider the underlying cause and stage of dementia.
• Regular health check-ups for older drivers (e.g., >70 in Switzerland) offer opportunities for early dementia detection.
• Physician-guided on-road driving tests are a valuable, cost-effective method for assessing driving fitness in uncertain cases.