Schizophrenia patients under treatment should not drive - Psychiatrist

SHAH ALAM – Mental illnesses, particularly severe conditions such as schizophrenia, can cause patients to experience hallucinations and delusions, making it difficult for them to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Psychiatrist Dr Hazli Zakaria stated that family members should prevent mentally ill patients who are still undergoing treatment and have not fully recovered from driving, as it endangers not only their own lives but also the lives of other road users.

During acute episodes, patients may experience psychotic symptoms that impair their ability to control thoughts, emotions and actions.

“At these times, patients require supervision from family members and may need hospitalisation to prevent harm to themselves or others,” he told Sinar on Sunday.

Dr Hazli advised that dangerous objects, including car keys, should be kept out of reach.

His comments followed a viral video showing a white Perodua Axia driving in circles at Bulatan Mahkota, Kluang.

The driver, a man in his 50s, was later confirmed to have schizophrenia and was receiving treatment at Hospital Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom.

However, he acknowledged that it would be unfair to prohibit patients who have undergone treatment and whose condition is under control from driving, as it is often a necessity.

"Many of them need a driver's licence for work. If their condition is well-managed, they do not pose a high risk when driving.

"Each patient is different—we must assess cases individually rather than enforcing blanket regulations without understanding them. Treatment is not just about medication, but medication is essential to ensure the condition remains under control," he said.

In a related matter, public health medicine specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar echoed this view, stating that patients who have not recovered or are untreated should not be granted a driver's licence or allowed to operate potentially dangerous vehicles and machinery.

He argued that family members and employers must take responsibility if a patient engages in life-threatening actions.

"If negligence or accidents occur due to a lack of supervision, family members or employers should also be held accountable to prevent such incidents from recurring," he said.