People with poor health urged not to drive alone
People with poor health conditions that might affect their driving ability are advised not to drive alone, to prevent road accidents, according to Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Phromlert.
People who should not drive by themselves include: patients with heart disease, those with a diabetes type that require insulin injection who could pass out when the sugar level in their blood has dropped, those with epilepsy with refractory seizures that could not be controlled by seizure medications, and those who had undergone brain surgery that could affect their body balance and muscle movement, Chatchai said.
These people should consult with doctors to assess their ability to drive through various factors such as eyesight, muscle and limb examination and medication records. They should refrain from driving completely if prohibited by a doctor, he said.
If they were allowed to drive, these persons should carry medications and patient cards with them and a note about their condition and accurate aid methods so if their condition flared up, people could timely and accurately help them, he said.
People also should not take medicine when driving as there might be some side effects. And people allowed to drive should have a companion in the car to assist in case of a medical emergency, he said.
