Should You Drive If You Have Narcolepsy?

There is no straightforward answer to this question – it depends on the severity of your symptoms and your ability to manage them. However, it’s important to understand that narcolepsy is a serious condition that can significantly affect your ability to drive and keep yourself and other road users safe.

In this blog post, we explore this question in detail and explain measures you can take to promote safety as a narcolepsy sufferer on the road.

What Is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic (long-term) condition that affects your ability to regulate your sleeping patterns. It may cause extreme drowsiness and can also lead you to lose consciousness at random intervals during the day, even when you’re engaged in activities (such as driving a car or other type of vehicle).

Other symptoms include cataplexy (loss of muscle control, particularly in response to emotional triggers), sleep paralysis (the temporary inability to move immediately after waking up), and excessive dreaming or waking during nighttime sleep.

The condition can arise for different reasons, including:

  • Loss of hypocretin-producing neurons: A decrease in the number of brain cells that produce hypocretin (orexin), a chemical that regulates wakefulness and REM sleep. This can occur due to misdirected autoimmune responses, among other reasons.
  • Genetics: Certain genetic factors can increase susceptibility to narcolepsy, especially in combination with environmental triggers.
  • Brain injuries: Damage to parts of the brain that regulate sleep can contribute to the development of narcolepsy.
  • Infections or illnesses: In some cases, infections like the flu or other conditions that affect the immune system can trigger narcolepsy.

Sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep can obviously pose a significant danger if you’re behind the wheel. Recognizing how this disorder might affect your driving ability is critical to making informed decisions.

Legal Responsibilities and Driving with Narcolepsy in New York

New York has specific rules regarding medical conditions that can impair driving (such as narcolepsy). If you have a condition like this, you’re required to report it to the Medical Review Unit of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). There are different forms (available for download from the DMV website) you can use to do this; the appropriate form will depend on your specific circumstances.

After you make this submission, you’ll have to commit to remain on the course of treatment prescribed by your care team if you want to continue driving. You’ll also need to be symptom-free for a certain period of time.

Ultimately, it will be up to the Medical Review Unit to decide whether or not you’re fit to drive as a narcoleptic. This board will review all documentation related to your condition and decide whether to suspend your license, or refuse to issue you one. Depending on the Unit’s findings, you may be required to submit to a re-evaluation of your fitness to drive in light of your symptoms.

It’s worth noting that these rules differ from one state to the next. Some states do not require drivers to make any official submission regarding a narcolepsy diagnosis.

Failing to obey the state’s rules regarding driving with narcolepsy can have serious consequences if you’re involved in an accident or traffic violation. If you cause an accident and it comes to light that you have narcolepsy and were not following the rules, you’re much more likely to face civil liability for damages arising from the accident. You might also face punitive damages arising from the incident, and even criminal liability.

How to Stay Safe Behind the Wheel With Narcolepsy

If you decide to drive despite having narcolepsy, it’s essential to take precautions.

Firstly, it’s imperative that you stick to any course of medication prescribed by your doctors, and obey any other medical instructions you receive. There are a number of drugs your doctor might prescribe to manage your narcolepsy symptoms, including:

  • Modafinil (Provigil).
  • Armodafinil (Nuvigil).
  • Sodium oxybate (Xyrem).
  • Amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine).
  • Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs).
  • Pitolisant (Wakix).

You should also go for regular check-ups, and schedule a consultation if you feel your symptoms have flared up or gotten worse.

Short journeys are typically safer for narcoleptic drivers. Though there’s no guarantee in this regard, you’re less likely to have a narcoleptic episode while driving if you’re behind the wheel for 30 minutes or less. Also, knowing when to pull over and take a break can prevent dangerous situations.

Narcolepsy is a serious medical condition, and it’s crucial that you treat it as such. If you have any doubts about your ability to drive with the condition, or about how you should approach driving, discuss these with your primary care physician, or with a specialist in this area of medicine.

Drowsiness vs. Narcolepsy

Drowsy driving has long been recognized as a serious hazard on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 693 deaths related to drowsy driving across the United States in 2022.

However, drowsiness (even if it occurs regularly) is not the same as narcolepsy.

Drowsiness can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor sleep habits, sleep deprivation, stress, or underlying medical conditions. People with chronic drowsiness often feel fatigued but can usually stay awake if necessary.

Narcolepsy, on the other hand, is a neurological disorder that directly affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep and wake cycles. It causes sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks, which can occur regardless of how much sleep you’ve had. These sleep attacks can happen even during physical activities like driving or walking.

The main difference lies in control.  Chronic drowsiness can often be addressed through rest or lifestyle changes. Narcolepsy, on the other hand, is not always curable, and the management of its symptoms often requires regular medication.

Narcolepsy is a much more severe and unpredictable condition than drowsiness, and it poses a much greater risk when it comes to driving.

Other Medical Conditions That Can Pose a Risk to Driver Safety

While narcolepsy is one condition that can affect your ability to drive safely, there are several others that may also increase the risk of accidents. As is the case with narcolepsy, there are strict rules in the state of New York when it comes to driving with any of these conditions. Failure to follow these rules can lead to civil and criminal liability in the event of an accident.

Below are some common medical conditions that can impact driver safety.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurring seizures. These seizures often occur without warning, leading to loss of consciousness, jerking movements, and confusion. When you’re driving, this sudden onset can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, posing a serious threat to you and others on the road. Many states, including New York, require individuals with epilepsy to meet specific seizure-free requirements before driving.

Diabetes

Diabetes, particularly when poorly managed, can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia can cause dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, and even fainting. If this happens while you’re driving, it can be dangerous. Monitoring your blood sugar levels before getting behind the wheel is crucial to avoid sudden episodes that could impair your driving ability.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep. This disruption can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue. People with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to fall asleep while driving, making it a significant risk factor for accidents.

Heart Disease

Heart disease can lead to serious complications like heart attacks, arrhythmias, or fainting, any of which can happen suddenly while driving. If you experience chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, it’s critical to avoid driving until you’re properly treated.

Liability in Car Accident Cases Involving Narcolepsy

New York is a no-fault state. This means that when you get into a car accident here, you can generally file a claim with your own insurance provider regardless of who was at fault for your crash. So, proving liability in car accident cases often isn’t necessary.

However, no-fault policies have limitations. If the costs arising from your accident exceed the amount your policy will cover, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the balance.

As noted above, conditions like narcolepsy can have a significant impact when it comes to car accident liability. If you’ve had an accident in which the at-fault driver was narcoleptic and was not following the rules around driving with the condition, it will be much easier to prove liability on their part. It might also be possible to get punitive damages in a situation like this, as the at-fault driver’s failure to stick to best practices might be construed as recklessness.

In all cases, it’s a good idea to consult with a lawyer after you’ve had a car accident. This is the only way to ensure you don’t make any potentially costly mistakes during the claims process.

Working With Lawyers Who Care About Your Safety

Driving with narcolepsy is ultimately a personal decision, but it comes with risks that should not be ignored. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you to drive, consider talking to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Staying informed will help keep you and others safe on the road.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and you’re not sure what your next steps should be in terms of pursuing compensation, we can help. Contact Tucker Lawyers today to schedule a free initial consultation about your case. You can reach us over the phone by calling (516) 399-2364, or by filling out our online contact form. Don’t wait to start the process; the sooner you get the ball rolling, the more likely a positive result will be.

john tucker

Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.

John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]

Table of Contents

Archives