Motor vehicle crashes and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

To investigate differences in the incidence of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis (MS) when cognitive impairment is present. Archival evaluation of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records. Medical rehabilitation research organization. Community-dwelling drivers, 27 subjects with documented MS (14 MS without cognitive impairment [MS-], 13 MS with cognitive impairment [MS+]) and 17 healthy control subjects, matched on age, sex, and driving experience. Not applicable. Incidence of MVCs and motor vehicle violations as documented by DMV reports for the past 5 years. MS+ subjects showed a higher incidence of MVCs when compared with control and MS- subjects. No significant difference in the incidence of motor vehicle violations was observed between groups. The presence of cognitive impairment in drivers with MS can result in an increased risk of MVC involvement.