The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York (EFNENY) advises everyone who uses cars as their primary form of transportation to prioritize car safety. Even though some individuals living with epilepsy may not drive due to their seizures, the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York (EFNENY) advises everyone who uses cars as their primary form of transportation to prioritize car safety. It is crucial to reduce distractions while driving by following traffic laws and staying vigilant for potential hazards on the road. Reducing distractions while driving is essential; this can be achieved by adhering to traffic laws and remaining alert to potential road hazards.
Seatbelt Safety:
“Seat belt use is the most effective way to save life’s and reduce injuries in crashes for adults and older children who are big enough for seatbelts to fit properly” according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Seat belt use is required for all individuals, regardless of age and where they are seated in the car in the state of New York. Properly affixing seatbelts and ensuring age-appropriate car seat security are paramount to being proactive about health and safety. Proper seat belt and car seat usage help to prevent injury, including traumatic brain injuries which may lead to epilepsy. It is also important that all adults, regardless of where they are sitting in the car (front or back seat) have properly fitting seat belts and do not alter their seat belt in any way. While these safety measures may not be different for people living with disabilities, there may be additional supports available to ensure safety during traffic stops or after an accident, which we will cover later on in this article.
Car Seat Safety:
New York State requires children to be secured in rear-facing car seats until the child outgrows the manufacturer’s top height and weight recommendations (usually between ages two and four). Once the child outgrows their rear-facing seat, they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and top tether in the back seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of their car seat (typically between age 6 and 8). Once a child outgrows their forward-facing seat, booster seats should be used until the seat belt fits the child properly (typically between ages 9 and 12). “A seat belt fits properly when the lap belt is across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt is across the center of the shoulder and chest (not across the neck or face, and not off the shoulder)” according to the CDC. Children should remain properly buckled in the back seat until at least age thirteen, when they can ride in the passenger seat.
Many local health departments and police stations hold car seat inspection days within their local community to ensure that car seats are affixed safely and that parents are aware of the most up to date safety protocols. You can also make an appointment with many of these places to get your car seats inspected and even have assistance with installing them. View car seat inspection stations near you by visiting https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection.Taking these extra precautions can aid individuals in lowering the chances of experiencing traumatic brain injuries, which may result in epilepsy.
As previously mentioned, safety measures including proper seat belt and car seat use are relevant for everyone. There are additional support and safety measures that people living with disabilities, including epilepsy, can take to maintain and ensure their safety. These safety measures could be simple additions, including adding a seatbelt cover to your car that can notify first responders that the individual has epilepsy if they are found unconscious or non-verbal. Options for this accessory can be found online through many retailers, and your local epilepsy foundation may be able to provide them free of charge through pharmaceutical and grant funding opportunities. Additional measures, including a medical alert ID bracelet, necklace, or personal ID card that would alert first responders to epilepsy, can increase positive treatment experiences in an emergency.
In New York State, a person who has experienced any unexplained loss of consciousness will have their license suspended for a minimum of six-months or a full year of no seizure activity. The department of motor vehicles has a medical review board that will discuss re-instatement of licenses for all cases, including seizures, that fall under this category. There may also be additional steps for individuals with a history of epilepsy looking to apply for their first driver’s license. More information about New York driving laws (as of 2024, when this blog was written) can be found in this informative webinar presented by Dr. John Jack Lansing, adult epileptologist practicing at Albany Medical Center.
If you are interested in learning more about seizure first aid or car safety, please reach out to our team by calling (518) 456-7501.