Return To Driving After Moderate-Severe TBI: Who, When, Where, And How Safe?

Participating Centers:

• Virginia Commonwealth Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
• Mayo Clinic Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
• University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
• Moss Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
• Rocky Mountain Regional Brain Injury System
• Southeastern Michigan Traumatic Brain Injury System
• JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute

Target Population(s):

Project Website:

Abstract:

Return to driving is a goal for almost every person experiencing TBI.  Return to driving after TBI is associated with employment, greater social activity, and higher satisfaction with life.  Cognitive deficits present a greater challenge for return to driving than physical deficits in many cases.  However, the threshold for recovery that allows safe return to driving is uncertain.  A better understanding of who returns to driving following moderate-severe TBI, what evaluations (if any) were completed prior to driving, patterns of driving, and the risks involved would aid TBI survivors, family members, and health care providers in determining when, and if, return to driving is a reasonable step.  With a potential sampling of thousands of people with TBI, the TBIMS National Database offers a unique opportunity to explore these issues.