NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman survived a fiery crash during the final lap of the Daytona 500 in February of 2020, yet he was able to return to the track at Daytona the next August. He was lucky to be able to get back behind the wheel and not pose a safety risk to himself or other drivers. But not everyone can do that.

If you’ve been in intensive care with a critical illness such as a heart attack, stroke or cancer, you may be eager to get back behind the wheel, which helps you go to work, shop, see friends, and get to doctor appointments more easily. But it may not be a smart move.

Around 60% of adults have persistent problems with cognition, emotional well-being, and/or physical functioning — called post-intensive care syndrome — after a critical illness, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open.

Researchers looked at 196 patients who had experienced critical illness and found that 16 of them resumed driving a month after they left the hospital, but half of those people tested to be at risk for cognitive impairment (a serious impediment to safe driving).

How do you know if you're ready to drive again?

Ask your doctor about getting an assessment of your cognition, mood, physical strength, and flexibility. And work with a physical therapist to improve coordination and reaction time.

Start slowly: When your doctor says it's oaky, practice with a copilot.

Driving again has enormous emotional and practical benefits, but you want to do it safely.