There are many physical and cognitive impairments that can inhibit a person’s ability to drive independently and safely. For many people, travelling via a motor vehicle is a core component of their life. It allows people to stay connected to their communities and engage in activities that bring enjoyment and satisfaction. It is important that our roads remain safe and secure for all drivers, passengers and members of the public; so ensuring that all drivers are equipped with the necessary skills to deal with dangerous situations in a safe manner is paramount. Suffering from a severe brain injury is a serious ailment that needs to be treated with care and consideration, particularly if you want to get back behind the wheel. So, let’s take a look at several key advantages of seeking a NDIS driving assessment after a stroke.
Verification of confidence
A driving assessment after a stroke could go a long way in ensuring that you are confident when getting back behind the wheel. You might have been someone who loved to go for a drive before the injury, however, now you just feel scared at the prospect of operating a vehicle. You don’t back yourself getting back out on the roads. Seeking professional advice could be the thing you need to reinforce your confidence and help build your self-esteem in getting back out onto the roads in the future.
Furthermore, there are several different types of tests that can be used when testing one’s ability to drive. For example; an off-road test will analyse and identify any serious medical conditions, such as a brain injury, that could seriously hamper your ability to operate a car. More importantly, this is all done without hopping behind the wheel, saving you stress and anxiety, while also receiving a qualified, professional opinion.
Sharpen your skills
In addition, a driving assessment after a stroke can be pivotal in honing your skills, ultimately making you a safer, more efficient driver in the long term. Indeed, these tests often include activities such as flexibility exercises, which are designed to help improve the strength of your reflexes, particularly when reacting quickly to dangerous scenarios on the road. On top of this, a driving assessment after a stroke will involve professional strategies that will help reduce or eliminate any unsafe behaviours. If you’ve suffered a serious brain injury, chances are your skills are a little off, or at least, not what they once were. Hence, a formal analysis will provide you with key tips to resolve this, like wheel positions, seating arrangements, blind spot checks and parking techniques.
Modifications to your car
A driving assessment after a stroke will also include any relevant modifications to your vehicle if required. A traumatic brain injury may have left you or someone close to you with physical disabilities, which may undermine their ability to operate a conventional car. To deal with this, a formal driving assessment after a stroke will clearly identify any car modifications that may be required to help improve driver functionality and safety. This may involve pedal extenders, additional side mirrors, seat lifts to aid moving in and out of your car, additional hand controls and seatbelt extenders.
Counselling
Unfortunately, not everyone can get back behind the wheel after a serious brain injury. A driving assessment after a stroke may bring you the results you didn’t want to hear; that you’re unable to operate a vehicle. In this situation, formal therapists can be consulted to deal with this situation, as for some people, it could be incredibly disheartening news. Hence, a driving assessment after a stroke is not just about improving your ability to drive, it’s about guaranteeing that only people of a certified standard are on the roads.
