A broken collarbone, or clavicle fracture, is a common injury that significantly limits the use of the arm and shoulder. The clavicle connects the shoulder to the trunk, providing structural support for arm movement. Because this injury severely compromises arm function, driving is almost universally prohibited due to safety, legal, and medical risks.
Physical Limitations and Driving Safety
A clavicle fracture immediately impairs the biomechanics required for safe vehicle operation. The injured arm is often immobilized in a sling for several weeks, preventing it from contributing to steering, especially during emergency maneuvers requiring rapid, two-handed input.
Safe driving requires a full range of motion in the shoulders and neck, both of which are compromised by a broken collarbone. The pain and stiffness restrict rotational movement needed to check blind spots and side mirrors. Additionally, the ability to apply adequate grip strength for precise steering control is lost on the injured side, forcing the driver to operate the vehicle with only one functional limb.
Reaction time is substantially reduced due to physical limitations, pain, and medication. Swerving or braking requires instantaneous, coordinated action from both arms, which an injured shoulder cannot provide. Furthermore, any sudden jolt, like hitting a pothole, could cause the fractured bone fragments to shift or result in soft tissue damage. The seatbelt also poses a risk, as restraint force in a crash could apply direct pressure to the healing fracture site.
Legal and Insurance Liability Risks
Few traffic laws specifically mention a broken collarbone, but driving with a significant physical impairment falls under general provisions prohibiting driving while unfit or distracted. Traffic codes require a driver to be in “full control” of their vehicle, which is difficult to meet when one arm is immobilized or severely limited. If an accident occurs while a driver is visibly impaired, they risk being cited for negligence or operating a vehicle unsafely.
Financial liability is also a concern, as insurance coverage can be jeopardized. Policies require the policyholder to take reasonable care to prevent loss, which an insurer may argue was violated by driving against medical advice. If an accident victim sues, evidence of the known impairment could establish negligence and potentially deny coverage. Furthermore, if the driver is using prescription narcotic pain medication, they could face charges equivalent to driving under the influence of drugs.
Medical Clearance and Recovery Timeline
The decision to resume driving relies on objective functional recovery and explicit medical clearance, not pain level alone. For a non-operative fracture, the initial immobilization period in a sling typically lasts two to six weeks, during which driving is strictly prohibited.
Driving should only be considered when the injured arm can perform all necessary steering and control functions without pain or weakness. This requires demonstrating the necessary range of motion and strength for emergency maneuvers, usually confirmed through physical therapy and physician assessment. A primary requirement is the ability to sustain a firm grip and rapidly rotate the steering wheel using the formerly injured limb. Additionally, the patient must be completely off all prescription pain narcotics, as these medications impair judgment and reaction time. The ultimate clearance to return to driving must come from the treating physician or physical therapist after a functional evaluation confirms the shoulder’s readiness.