How Your Driving Ability Suffers After A Concussion

Traumatic head injuries like concussions are an unfortunate on the job risk for many truck drivers. Slip and fall accidents, crashes, and dangerous work areas all increase your risk for a concussion.

No only is a head injury painful and dangerous, it can also affect your driving ability.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Memory problems
• Sensitivity to noise or light
• Fainting
• Poor balance
• Easily irritated and frustrated

Many drivers suffer from concussions without knowing it. If you’ve been involved in any sort of accident and are experiencing these symtoms, seek medical treatment immediately.

How Does A Concussion Affect Driving Ability?

Having a concussion has a number of negative effects on your driving ability, including:

• Impaired memory may make it hard to recall directions
• Slow reaction time
• Difficulty maintaining your lane
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Impaired judgement on safety decisions
• Trouble with coming up with solutions to problems
• Problems judging distance and speed

Some of these problems may be undetectable to the concussed person, making them even more dangerous for a truck driver.

You’ve Suffered a Concussion — Now What?

• Seek medical help
• Do not drive for at least 24 hours or until cleared by a medical professional — even if pressured to do so
• Do not sleep for the first four hours after a concussion
• Avoid alcohol and sleeping medications
• Return to work gradually if possible
• Avoid stressful or physically demanding activities while you recover
• Avoid video games

Sources:
NCBI
Brainline
Braininjury.org
Mayo Clinic