Adapting to changes in your health
We support you to continue to drive on Queensland roads for as long as you can drive safely. Read about your responsibility to be healthy to drive, including being physically and mentally able to respond to different road conditions and environments.
Sometimes you may notice changes in your physical and mental abilities that can affect your driving, such as changes in:
- your vision
- your ability to move
- how you process information.
It’s your responsibility to monitor your driving ability and address any concerns. If you’re unsure, talk to your doctor about assessing your medical fitness to drive. Your doctor may also recommend how you need to adjust your driving habits or treatments to help you stay safe on the road.
Physical and mental changes to watch for
We’ve provided a guide to help you notice early warning signs that you may experience but stay alert to any other signs that your health may be affecting your safe driving. Be honest with yourself, ask questions, and make good choices—they could save lives.
Vision
Many people experience vision changes. Even a small loss of vision can affect your driving.
Watch for signs that you’re finding it hard to:
- change your focus and see details on traffic signs
- see traffic, close or far away
- clearly see pedestrians and bicycle riders
- recover from glare, such as from oncoming headlights, streetlights or the afternoon sun
- see things in your side vision or out of the corner of your eyes when looking at traffic
- judge distances
- adjust your vision when moving between light and dark areas.
Movement
Changes to your body can make moving harder and can mean that you react more slowly when you’re driving.
Watch for signs that you’re finding it hard to:
- move your foot between the pedals
- look over your shoulder before changing lanes
- move the steering wheel to keep your vehicle centred in the lane
- feel where the pedals are and apply the right amount of pressure
- keep both hands on the steering wheel and remain in control of the vehicle
- turn your head, neck, shoulders or body while driving or parking.
Thinking
Driving can be complex and unpredictable. Your ability to process information and respond may change throughout your life which can affect your driving.
Watch for signs that you :
- find it hard to plan and remember your route
- forget to turn your indicator on or off
- can’t concentrate and remain focused on the driving task
- are slow to recognise and respond to hazards on the road or it’s difficult to react quickly to other driver’s actions
- are unable to stay calm in traffic and respond to changing road conditions and environments
- regularly need your passengers to give you directions, such as when it’s clear to pass other vehicles?
- have near misses when driving?
- feel exhausted after driving for an hour or less?
- find your passengers warn you about things you may not have seen, or see too late
How to keep driving safely
Monitor your health
- visit your doctor, optometrist or ophthalmologist if you notice any changes in your vision
- have your eyes checked regularly
- keep your glasses prescription up to date and suitable for driving. Also ensure your windscreen is clean to reduce glare
- avoid driving if you’re feeling tired, sick or upset
- regularly check with your doctor whether you can continue to drive safely if you suffer from any serious health conditions such as arthritis, epilepsy, a heart condition, high blood pressure or anxiety
- check with your doctor or pharmacist if any medication you are taking might reduce your ability to drive safely.
Adjust your driving
Think about whether you’re comfortable:
- driving in busy traffic
- merging onto a busy freeway
- changing lanes in traffic
- travelling an unfamiliar route
Modify your driving patterns, as needed, such as limiting or avoiding driving at night or twilight.
Avoid difficult road conditions, such as bad weather, poor light or busy traffic.
Read more about driving safely and to the road conditions. Also find out about driver reviver rest stops and planning your journey.
Modify your vehicle
You can also modify your vehicle to help prepare for and manage health-related changes.
You can ask an occupational therapist to assess you and suggest changes to your car to improve safety, including extended mirrors, custom hand controls, steering aids or left-foot accelerators.
Read about the vehicle modifications and how to get approval.
If you have a health emergency while driving
If you experience sudden changes to your physical or mental health while driving and you cannot continue to drive safely, you should stop immediately:
- exit highways or pull over in a safe area, such as the road shoulder as far from traffic as possible, a parking lot or a rest area
- turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers
- check if it’s safe to get out of your vehicle
- phone for help: if the situation is life threatening or an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). If you’re concerned about your health, consider getting someone else to drive you to the nearest healthcare facility.
If symptoms that affect your driving keep happening, discuss them with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you to drive and to help manage any health conditions.