2024-10-01 18:13:31
When are you no longer the master or mistress of your vehicle? When should you stop driving? A study provides information – at least as far as the heart is concerned.
One in five drivers in Germany is over 65. Tests for older drivers are repeatedly brought into play. A current study has now examined which heart diseases – the most common cause of death in Germany – make it better not to drive.
The study states: Common symptoms of cardiovascular disease include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness or loss of consciousness. The study refers to Appendix 4 of the driving license. This regulates the health requirements for fitness to drive motor vehicles in Germany and contains detailed regulations on health impairments and their effects on the driving license.
The scientists emphasize that an individualized assessment by the doctor always has priority. “Regular examinations and differentiated assessments by medical professionals are a prerequisite for maintaining fitness to drive,” says the study. Here are their results (in order of relevance, Editor’s note):
Patients with this condition are “usually not subject to any restrictions regarding their ability to drive.” Regular medical examinations are expressly recommended.
To understand: From a purely legal perspective, there is no age limit for a driver’s license in Germany and no mandatory medical tests or driving tests, as the “Pharmazeutische Zeitung” explains.
However, there is always debate about whether there should be health checks for seniors aged 70 and over. Most recently there was the debate about the “Senior TÜV”. Read more about this here. However, there are currently no binding legal regulations.