2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

25.2 Prevalence and incidence of traumatic brain injuryRates of incidence and prevalence of TBI are difficult to determine due to a lack of uniformity indefinitions and reporting methods. Canadian data suggest that the overall prevalence of TBI is62.3 per 100,000 adults. Rates were highest in the 45 to 64 year old age range, three times therate of those in the 15 to 24 year old range.25.3 Traumatic brain injury and adverse driving outcomesNumerous studies have examined the relationship between TBI and driving outcomes. Althoughfew studies have examined crash rates, the existing research indicates higher rates of crashes andtraffic violations for those who have experienced a TBI. Notably, studies indicate thatapproximately 50% of those experiencing a TBI will not resume driving after the TBI. Researchexamining road test results indicates that approximately 30% of individuals who haveexperienced a TBI will fail a subsequent road test.25.4 Effect of traumatic brain injury on functional ability to driveTraumatic brain injury may result in a persistent cognitive, motor, or sensory impairment, or anepisodic impairment (epilepsy), or both.ConditionType of drivingimpairment andassessmentapproachPrimaryfunctionalabilityaffectedAssessment toolsTraumatic brain injuryPersistentimpairment:FunctionalassessmentVariable –cognitive, motoror sensoryDriver’s MedicalExamination ReportSpecialist’s reportICBC road testCognitive screening toolssuch as; MOCA, MMSE,SIMARD-MD, Trails A orBDriveABLE assessmentFunctional assessment byan occupational therapist ordriver rehabilitationspecialistEpisodic impairment:Medical assessment –likelihood ofimpairmentVariable –suddenimpairment(epilepsy)Driver’s MedicalExamination ReportSpecialist’s report325