Dementia and Driving–Medical and Ethical aspects of driver with dementia

Abstract

As a result of the growing proportion of drivers aged 65 years and older, it is expected that the number of elderly drivers with dementia is increasing in Japan. Since June 2002, demented drivers have been prohibited driver's license by Public Safety Commission in Japan. However, we have no consensus guidelines for demented drivers. Following the law, the authority introduced a cognitive function assessment for the renewal when the driver is 75 years or older. They further started a policy in which physicians can voluntarily report their patients’ medical conditions, including dementia. Despite these law and policy improvements and the high expectations to the medical professionals regarding aging drivers, the current role of physicians is merely diagnosing dementia or not, and is lacking the guidance on safe driving for the drivers and their families. This paper suggests that several important medical and social factors might be considered for the management of drivers with dementia. Consensus medical guideline for demented drivers has to be developed.