Making driving easier for individuals suffering from persistent pain
Chronic pain, an often invisible yet common condition, affects one in five GP consultations in Australia. According to Pain Australia's CEO, Carol Bennett, people with chronic pain may find it challenging to get in or out of a vehicle due to their condition. To address this issue, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has initiated research aimed at improving safe driving among individuals with chronic pain.
RACV's research, which interviewed 17 health professionals and 90 motorists, assessed the impact of pain on driving. The findings will be submitted to the National Transport Commission (NTC) review into its national Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines.
While the specific recommendations from the RACV research are yet to be published, common best practices for health professionals in assessing and managing chronic pain related to driving can be inferred. These include:
- Evaluating the impact of pain and pain medications on driving ability: Pain can affect concentration, reaction time, and physical control needed for safe driving. Likewise, medications (especially opioids or sedatives) may impair cognitive or motor functions.
- Conducting individual functional assessments: Assessing how chronic pain affects each patient’s functional capacity for driving tasks is important.
- Reviewing medication regimens: Adjusting pain management plans to minimize cognitive or motor impairment risks associated with driving.
- Educating patients: Informing about the risks of driving under pain or medication side effects and advising when to avoid driving.
- Collaborating with transport authorities: Reporting or advising on driving fitness as required under legal frameworks.
- Monitoring over time: Regular reassessment, as pain and treatment effects can change.
Such approaches align with transport safety and clinical guidelines internationally and reflect the kinds of standards a National Transport Commission review might incorporate, often based on research like that conducted by bodies such as RACV.
For the precise guidelines recommended by RACV research to the National Transport Commission, you may need to consult the official RACV or NTC publications or submissions related to their chronic pain and driving review.
In addition to these professional recommendations, there are practical strategies that drivers with chronic pain can use to stay safe and comfortable while driving. These include adjusting the driving position, such as seat and mirror adjustments, using pain-relief techniques, and taking regular breaks during long trips to stretch or massage tight muscles.
Experts also suggest consulting a medical professional for strategies to manage chronic pain, including exercise and the use of pain-management techniques and devices. A physiotherapist can help with a tailored exercise program, while an occupational therapist can advise on aids and devices to make driving more comfortable.
Despite the challenges, many people with chronic pain want to continue driving. It's important to be aware of how medications can affect driving ability, including concentration, reaction time, and coordination. Never drive if feeling fatigued or "foggy".
Health professionals need clearer guidelines on treating chronic pain to help motorists manage their pain effectively. The current guidelines do not address chronic pain, and there is a need for more research and development in this area to ensure the safety and comfort of drivers living with chronic pain.
- In light of the research conducted by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), health professionals are encouraged to evaluate the impact of chronic diseases and pain medications on a patient's driving ability, conducting individual functional assessments, and reviewing medication regimens to ensure safe driving.
- Simultaneously, people with chronic pain can implement practices such as adjusting the driving position, using pain-relief techniques, and taking regular breaks, while also consulting medical professionals for strategies like exercise and the use of pain-management devices to enable safer driving experiences.
