ChatterBank45 mins ago
Are Doctors The Right People To Be Judging Driving Ability?
31 Answers
.....especially based on arbitrary opinion on some medical condition or other.
http:// www.tel egraph. co.uk/n ews/new stopics /debate s/29909 73/Doct ors-tol d-they- must-re port-un fit-dri vers-to -the-DV LA.html
Is this likely to stop pensioners going to the Docs if they fear getting grassed up and losing their freedom?
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Is this likely to stop pensioners going to the Docs if they fear getting grassed up and losing their freedom?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.It is about reporting a medical condition that effects driving not just an opinion on diving ability.
Who else would you suggest does it? The person could be suffering from severe dementia for example or have a history of blackouts ( remember the Glasgow bin lorry driver? that is what this is about)
Who else would you suggest does it? The person could be suffering from severe dementia for example or have a history of blackouts ( remember the Glasgow bin lorry driver? that is what this is about)
Anyone who cannot see properly 5 car lengths should not be on the road. End of.
Drivers should have mandatory eye tests every 10 years (every 5 years for the over 65s), and should not get a new license unless they meet the requirement.
A car is a dangerous weapon and many hundreds die in collision with one every year. A driver with bad eyesight is just as an unfit driver as a drunken driver..
( So the burden shouldn't be on doctors to repirt bad eyesight, it should be on drivers to prove their eyesight is acceptable).
Drivers should have mandatory eye tests every 10 years (every 5 years for the over 65s), and should not get a new license unless they meet the requirement.
A car is a dangerous weapon and many hundreds die in collision with one every year. A driver with bad eyesight is just as an unfit driver as a drunken driver..
( So the burden shouldn't be on doctors to repirt bad eyesight, it should be on drivers to prove their eyesight is acceptable).
TTT the doctor has to have medical proof of the loss of driving ability.
They can not just go on someone 'grassing the driver up'. If they get such a report and it seems viable they have to ask the driver to come in for an examination. If the driver fails to come in for a medical then the doctor can report them to the DVLA.
They can not just go on someone 'grassing the driver up'. If they get such a report and it seems viable they have to ask the driver to come in for an examination. If the driver fails to come in for a medical then the doctor can report them to the DVLA.
I am regularly terrified by some of my patients at the hospital with degenerative conditions who can barely walk, are very unsteady,and have no concept of safety, yet tell me that they are still driving. Others can barely see (my friend was knocked off her bike whilst wearing bright clothing in broad daylight by a motorist pulling out of a side road who subsequently 'scraped through' an eyesight test according to the police).
Unsafe drivers due to medical conditions are not limited to pensioners ,I was certainly not alone in asking a lorry driver in his forties to report himself to the DVLA as he had no proper control in his ability to bring his foot up and down. He was adamant that he would not.
Unsafe drivers due to medical conditions are not limited to pensioners ,I was certainly not alone in asking a lorry driver in his forties to report himself to the DVLA as he had no proper control in his ability to bring his foot up and down. He was adamant that he would not.
Years ago I interviewed a guy for benefits. He said that he had lost his job as a bus driver as his employer had found out he was only partially sighted in his right eye. I asked him about his other eye - it turned out that he only had one eye as the other was a glass one.
He said that he was looking for another driving job!
He said that he was looking for another driving job!
Years back my accountants GP threatened to report him to the DVLA. He had a drink problem and although he didn't have a drink if he was driving his GP said he'd still have sufficient alcohol in his system to make him dangerous on the roads.
So, imo, GPs should be able to judge someones driving abilities.
So, imo, GPs should be able to judge someones driving abilities.
Yes, Minty, they get it from me :-( My youngest was referred to the hospital at his 6 week check. We only recently found out my oldest son is colour blind as well. He had no problems passing his eye test for his driving test...
If they were considered unfit to drive I'd hope the DVLA would be informed.
If they were considered unfit to drive I'd hope the DVLA would be informed.
Murray........just last week, I had my medical for licence renewal and it involved hearing test, eye test, coordination on a machine when one had to keep a car on a screen from ringing a bell when you hit the curb and also past history since your last application. I had had major surgery so I had to take a letter to me GP to add further details. She was a young female doctor who has always been " putty in my hands"......so no problem.
I work in an advanced dementia unit, one of our ladies with quite advanced dementia actually drove herself to the home in her own car. Her dementia was advanced enough that we were able to get a "Deprivation of Liberties" order on her so we could prevent her from leaving the building, as she would be unsafe to herself or others, and that judgement is made on her as a pedestrian.
I turned 70 in September and all I had to do was renew my license. I will have to do this every three years but no medical required. A few years ago I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. This is a notifiable condition to DVLA and if being treated using a CPAP machine this is acceptable to DVLA and you get a letter from them confirming you are fit to drive. I have a check up for my OSA once a year with my consultant and I assume that if he was not satisfied then he would inform DVLA and I would be back on Shanks's pony.
I also know someone who has a glass eye and they have no problem with DVLA and drive regularly.
I also know someone who has a glass eye and they have no problem with DVLA and drive regularly.
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