Driving is a very important part of everyday life, promoting independence and providing a means to get to work, meet friends and enjoy leisure activities. It is therefore not surprising that one of the most common questions asked when people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s is how the condition will affect their ability to drive.
Although some people do find that their driving is affected by their symptoms and the medication they take, many others continue to drive safely for years after diagnosis. Your doctor is the best person to advise on your fitness to drive and any legal obligations must be complied with, but even when difficulties arise, these can often be overcome through the use of equipment, adaptations and particular techniques that make driving easier.
The first self-propelled road vehicle is said to be a military tractor invented by French engineer and mechanic, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot, in 1769. He used a steam engine to power the three-wheeled tractor, enabling the French Army to move artillery. It moved at a speed of approximately four kilometres per hour, stopping every ten to fifteen minutes to build up steam power.
