cars for epileptics

[pegasusp3]

i have epilepcy and a disadled daughter i need a good car a car big enough to put a weel chair in the back four doors and the insurance most be low because i have epilepsy and the insurance will be high for me and i am a first time buyer also feedback needed

[rugeleyboy]

wouldn't you be accepted for a disability car?

[bednobs]

personally i didnt think people who had fits were allowed to drive (or is it you have to be fit free for a year??)
anyway if your daughter is disabled and unable to walk providing she is over 2 and under 64 she would be entitled to DLA mobility component, which you could swap for an adapted car i think. Then you can get advice from motability garages who could look at your overall needs.
Anyway, if you just want to buy priovately for whatever reason, most cars will fit a wheelchair in the back - hell, even my smart car does! and it has low insurance

[NORMANTHEDOG]

you should not be driving if you have epilepsy.as bednobs says.

[Postdog]

You shouldn't be driving or have a licence if you have epilepsy!

I have an epileptic (?) friend I have known for years, hardly ever has an episode, yet he is barred from having a licence.

[pegasusp3]

epileptic's can drive after one year free fit but the insurance is sky high

[Ethel]

That is true - one year fit free and you can drive:

http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/PAGES/info/leafl ets/driving.cfm

[rugeleyboy]

Somebody had an epileptic fit in front of me last saturday......... he hadnt had a fit for 2 years, how, if your driving could it possibly be safe for you to be behind a wheel........ he just went down like a sack of spuds and he told me a few days later that he cant recall having them?

[Ethel]

That is the law though, Rugeley

I think more road accidents are caused by drivers having a heart attack than an epileptic fit - I will try and find the details.

Don't forget that for many people suffering epilepsy, their condition is very well controlled by medication. If they are fit free for a year, the medication is considered successful.

[rugeleyboy]

the thought frightens me.

but as you say, more people are having accidents by heart attacks and they cant be predicted can they.

[madboutcats]

just going on a tangent (sorry pegasusp3) i watched an elderly man walking with two sticks come out a shop, take a least 10mins to cross the road at lights and then he got into a large volvo estate car which he'd parked in a bus stop layby, now id worry about him driving than some one whose fits are under control. good luck pegasus i hope you find the right car and yes look into what you are allowed with having a disabled daughter, dont let the council/goverment stop you getting what could be rightfully yours.

[DONNA1458]

What is your budget for a vehicle?? I work in the motortrade so i will let you know what i would recommend in your price range.

[bednobs]

i also meant to add, if she can get a motability car i think the insurance is covered too

[pegasusp3]

the reason i have a disabled daughter is the doctors messed up and gave me the wrong drugs while pregnant . my epilepsy is controled with drugs and is doing very well but having epilepsy makes me more careful i wont drink at all when i start to drive . the problem is out there thier are some epileptics that dont report there fits after having the but if you are careful and stick to the rules i can drive but the insurance on a car is double for me

[bensmum]

I am epileptic and when I was first diagnosed I had to give up my licence for 2 years. It is now one year I believe. I then had to complete forms for the DVLA every 2 years to declare that I was still seizure free but for the last 5 years, because there have been no episodes I have an unrestricted licence. I always declared this to my insurers and premiums were higher initially but they have gone down. I never kept it a secret but if I stop taking medication I have to stop driving for 6 months or until I have been seizure free for 6 months. It depends on the severity of your condition but people with epilepsy can drive.
Anyone can have a seizure at any time - many people do have one-off episodes for all sorts of reasons besides epilepsy. Mine is at least controlled.

[pegasusp3]

good for you i have been trying to drive for years started learning at 17 problem was the doctors love using you as a guinnie pig they did on me i am on the best drug ever now keppra i am 28 and still learning to drive past my theory years ago past first time but it ran out so i did it again and they added the hazard stuff and failed 3 times now but i never trust thows doctor say so i look on the internet to now exactly what i am taking cause half the time they talk ruddish

[M-A-T-R-I-X]

getting back to your original question, have you asked Motability about giving you a vehicle which is paid for you by your DLA? I would recommend a Nissan Note or a Citroen Picasso as a 5-seater, alternatively a Vauxhall Zafira or Galaxy as a small/large 7-seater.

[Miss-hype]

I have epilesy and had it for about for 10years due to an accident i had! I have a friend who has regular seizures and she drives which i believe is very wrong!! ive accepted that i may never drive and its not the end of the world. i think if you hav fits you shouldnt drive as you put other people at risks as well as yourself. its difficult at times when you have to wait for public tranport or your late for meetings, but non-epileptics also do not drive so where not the only ones. everyone b happy as we cant have everything in life!!!