[Automobile driving capacity of the elderly from the psychiatric viewpoint]

As the percentage of senior citizens in the general population increases, the number of elderly drivers is also increasing. This raises the general question as to the fitness of the elderly to participate in road traffic; the answer to this question must be considered within the larger context of ageing. Main points discussed: Acute psychiatric conditions (schizophrenic psychosis, melancholia, mania, organic psychosis, neurosis, addictive diseases) and decompensated neurosis and progressive dementia all render the victim unfit to drive. However, when the acute phase has been overcome, driving ability may well be re-established. Here, consideration must be given to psychopharmacological therapy.

An elderly person's fitness to drive does not depend per se on chronological age or a given diagnosis. Rather, an individual assessment must take account of such parameters as psychopathology, personality, the ability to come to an agreement, the course of any psychiatric illness, and the effects of other somatic diseases and drugs.