Post A FREE Business Listing & Grow Your Business!

Can You Legally Drive After Undergoing Surgery in Georgia?

Can You Legally Drive After Undergoing Surgery in Georgia

Can You Legally Drive After Undergoing Surgery in Georgia?

Some legal questions can seem pretty silly until you find yourself in the same situation. A question that pops up every now and then deals with the legalities of driving home after surgery in Georgia. Before you scoff at the question, remember not every surgery is a major procedure. 

Some surgeries are out-patient procedures which means you head home instead of recuperating at the medical facility. Since you’re only spending an hour or so resting after surgery, can you legally drive yourself home? Knowing the answer to this question can be the difference between getting home safely, getting a traffic ticket, or worse being involved in an accident.

Georgia Law and Driving After Surgery

If the first thing on your mind is getting home after surgery, you’re certainly not alone. Most patients prefer recovering at home instead of in a hospital or other type of medical facility. There’s something to be said for the comfort of home. Not to mention the food is probably better than what a hospital is dishing up. However, before grabbing your car keys and heading for the door, take a look at what the Peach State has to say about driving after surgery.

Surprisingly, Georgia doesn’t have much to say about driving after surgery. However, state law does have a few requirements drivers must meet. Surgeries, even minor ones, can temporarily make it impossible to meet these requirements. All drivers must be able to maintain proper control of their vehicles. This means having full use of their arms and hands. Drivers must also be able to stay both awake and alert behind the wheel.

If any after-effects from surgery are interfering with your mobility, dexterity, or ability to stay awake, it’s probably illegal to drive in Georgia. If you’re pulled over and an officer suspects you’re unable to safely operate a motor vehicle, a ticket may be the least of your worries. You may be facing a temporary license suspension and this can really cramp your style.

Reasons to Avoid Driving After Surgery

Okay, we already mentioned you’re risking temporarily losing your driving privileges if you get behind the wheel after surgery. This doesn’t always apply. Sometimes, surgeries are minor and only a local anesthetic is used. This type of sedative usually wears off in an hour or so. Driving after surgery may not be a big deal. 

Other procedures may require a general anesthetic and these medications tend to last longer. Getting behind the wheel can be dangerous, especially if you’re still prone to nodding off. Here are a few other reasons to avoid driving immediately after surgery:

 

  • Strength or range of motion is limited
  • Possible interference with healing and rehabilitation
  • Risk of opening sutures
  • Slowed reflexes and braking times
  • Reduced grip strength
  • Changes in vision, including blurriness and eye dilation
  • Placing stress on an incision with a seat belt and steering wheel
  • Placing stress on an injury by shifting or braking

 

Once again, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after surgery it’s illegal to drive in Georgia.

Getting Home After Surgery

You can’t stay at the medical facility after surgery, even if you want to. There isn’t enough space for an extended stay without inconveniencing other patients and staff. Besides, your health insurance isn’t going to cover your stay. Since paying out of your pocket isn’t an option, you need to make it home safely. Since safety is paramount, you’re not breaking out your car keys. Walking home isn’t an option so what’s left?

Arrange a Ride with Family or Friends

Even if you don’t have close family living nearby, you probably have a great group of friends. Even if your group is more of a small circle, you have a couple of people you can count on. Give a friend or family member a call and find out if they can cover your transportation. You’ll need a ride to and from the medical center. Sure, you can probably drive yourself to your surgical appointment but how’s your vehicle getting back home?

Do you really want to head back to the medical facility just to pick up your car? Even if you need someone to take you and another person to pick you up, it’s still easier than leaving your vehicle in the parking lot for a day or so.

Call a Cab

Just because you don’t see cabs on the streets, they’re still around. If you’re dying to ride in an iconic yellow cab, you’re probably out of luck. Most taxis look pretty similar to every other vehicle on the road, except for the small branded placard on the door.

Did you know some rideshare platforms like Uber are even playing nice with cab companies? You can book a taxi through the Uber app. How convenient is that? This gives you a chance to compare various rates. Besides, sometimes it’s nice to go old school and jump in a cab.

Rideshare Drivers Are Always Available

Your friends and family may not jump at the chance of an early morning run. If your surgery is scheduled for later in the day, you may not be ready to go home until late evening. Convincing someone to drive you home at night isn’t always easy. Some cabbies also keep tight hours and may not be available when you need a ride.

This leaves you with the option of booking a trip through a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft. You can pre-schedule your pickup to ensure you’re on time for your planned medical procedure. When it’s time to go home, rideshare drivers are pretty much always available. Even if you’re not ready to leave until late at night.

Staying Safe After Surgery in Georgia

Going through surgery, even a minor procedure, isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of fun. The last thing you want is to be stuck at the medical facility or drive yourself when you’re not ready to get behind the wheel. From friends and family to cabs and rideshare drivers, you have plenty of options. Staying safe and keeping your driver’s license is just as important as showing up on time for your surgery. 

Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!

About Author

You May Also Like

Nearby Cities

Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!

Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.