Driving

What is the study about?

The aim of this study was to learn more about return to driving over time after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

What did the study find?

This study had four notable findings.

  1. 70% of participants returned to driving within 2 years after injury.
  2. They report changes in driving habits, like driving less and for shorter distances.
  3. People with higher incomes were more likely to return to driving.
  4. People are at a higher crash risk after TBI, but this study suggests they may have been at higher risk before their TBI.

Who participated in the study?

334 adults with TBI completed a survey at one of eight TBI Model Systems. Participants were drivers before their TBI.

How was the study conducted?

Participants completed two driving surveys. The first survey was completed after their injury and asked about their driving habits prior to their injury. The second survey was completed over the phone at their Year 1 and Year 2 follow-up interviews and asked about driving habits since their injury.

How can people use the results?

Most people with moderate to severe TBI return to driving within 2 years after their injury. But some driving habits may change in ways that reduce risk. Common changes are driving less often, driving for shorter distances, and limiting driving at night or in bad weather.

Reference

Novack T, Zhang Y, Kennedy R, Marwitz J, Rapport LJ, Mahoney E, Bergquist T, Bombardier C, Tefertiller C, Walker W, Watanabe T, Brunner, R. Return to driving following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: A TBI model system longitudinal investigation. J Head Trauma Rehabil. ahead of print; 2024; DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000983.

Disclaimer

The contents of this quick review were developed under grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant numbers (90DPTB0015, 90DPTB0006, 90DPTB0004, 90DPTB00070, 90DPTB0014, 90DPTB0008, 90DPTB0005, 90DPTB0012, and 90DPKT0009). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.