'GP's to report elderly patients who are considered unsafe to drive' (1 Viewer)

mentaliss

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So could this be a issue for many elderly motorhome drivers who have not reached the ripe old age of 7o but have medical condition that may impair their driving ability ?
 

GJH

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Presumably any drivers in this position will have been told by their GP, at least once, that they are not fir to drive and are, therefore, putting themselves and others at risk by continuing to do so. Knowing that they could be reported and banned if they ignore that advice might make some people more willing to take it.
 

Minxy

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... whilst I agree that this a good thing if it gets people off the roads who shouldn't be driving ... like the Renault Scenic driver I saw on Sunday who was having difficulty turning a corner ... what worries me is that it could stop some elderly going to the doctor in the first place if they are worried that it may mean they lose their licence ...

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Southdowners

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Maybe, but if you're a risk to others on the road then, sadly, its time to stop.

Our neighbour, a lovely woman aged around 87, was totally unfit to drive yet did so for more years than was safe. I found it inconceivable that she could legally go onto a motorway when clearly she wasn't fit to be behind the wheel.
 

GJH

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what worries me is that it could stop some elderly going to the doctor in the first place if they are worried that it may mean they lose their licence
If they are that worried then surely they know that they are potentially putting people at risk and should be honest enough to take the consequences.
elderly motorhome drivers who have not reached the ripe old age of 7o
:Eeek: Hang on a drop, 70 isn't elderly these days :laughing:

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MattR

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... whilst I agree that this a good thing if it gets people off the roads who shouldn't be driving ... like the Renault Scenic driver I saw on Sunday who was having difficulty turning a corner ... what worries me is that it could stop some elderly going to the doctor in the first place if they are worried that it may mean they lose their licence ...

Yes but better to lose a licence than lose a life.
 

Derbyshire wanderer

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I don't know about elderly drivers of which I have met many excellent drivers but anyone with a medical condition that makes them unsafe should not be driving.
There has been plenty of grief caused by the Glasgow bin wagon driver who thought he should keep driving when obviously he shouldn't.
To drive if medically unfit is simply reckless and against the law and to think otherwise is bonkers.
 

scotjimland

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I wish someone had taken my Dad's licence away...

He had dementia and I tried to get him to stop driving , but he wouldn't listen.. while we were visiting him in Scotland he went for a drive and was in an accident, fortunately no one was injured.. when he came home he had no recollection of it.. .. first I knew was when the police turned up looking for him.. he had hit several cars and done a runner.. that was his last drive.. sadly he has since passed away

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... whilst I agree that this a good thing if it gets people off the roads who shouldn't be driving ... like the Renault Scenic driver I saw on Sunday who was having difficulty turning a corner ... what worries me is that it could stop some elderly going to the doctor in the first place if they are worried that it may mean they lose their licence ...
If they can afford to run a car then surely they can afford to use a taxi for visits to the dictor.
 

Khizzie

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Yes but better to lose a licence than lose a life.
I concur...I am nearly 71 and at the moment according to my last mot I have good eysight and reasonably fit. No major probs but do suffer from copd..if the doctor informed me that in her opinion I was no longer fit to drive I would be reluctant to give it up ,however if my licence was withdrawn on her recommendations.I would find ways to overcome the lack of wheels..
 

Minxy

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Yes but better to lose a licence than lose a life.
... yes but to lose a life to keep a licence is an issue too if they don't go to the doctors when they should ...

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Minxy

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If they can afford to run a car then surely they can afford to use a taxi for visits to the dictor.
Not the point I was making.
 
D

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I don't think this is new.

GPs have always been able to inform the DVLA if they think someone is unsafe to drive on medical grounds and won't stop voluntarily. The age of the person has nothing to do with it. I'm aware of it happening to someone who was in his early 20s at the time. The DVLA suspended his licence for a year and he had to get a letter from the doctor in order to get it back.
 

Southdowners

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If they can afford to run a car then surely they can afford to use a taxi for visits to the dictor.

I think MinxyGirl means that knowing you might loose your licence would stop you going to the doctors for a fit to drive medical.

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Landy lover

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Simple answer to this is a similar health check that you have to do for retention of the HGV to 7.5 tonne. I have to do that as I am over 70 if the doctor is doubtful then the standard HGV medical will sort it and it can be done by any doctor not your own so can be totally impartial.
 
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For sometime now their has been a media campaign to retest all older drivers maybe when reaching 70. It would appear that the government has now taken this on board by putting the onus on to GPs who have been instructed to report anyone for any medical or social problems to the DVLA. If you tell your GP you like a drink for instance or had a dizzy spell or maybe suffer depression he could in his wisdom pass this on to the DVLA.
The GP will not take the responsibility on himself for your safe driving so he is perfectly in his rights to pass on even minor possible problems you might report to him.
What do you think.?
 
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Probably a good idea,,,,,BUSBY.
 
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As far as I am aware Dr's have had a list of conditions that they need to report to DVLA. I guess this suggests that they also apply their professional view to the general state of health of their patient. They would discuss the position with the patient and then inform DVLA.
Difficult stuff, telling someone that their health now means that they are not able to continue to drive, real life changing decisions, not something I would like to do too often. A GPs life is not an easy one, although very lucrative.

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Southdowners

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It would appear that the government has now taken this on board by putting the onus on to GPs who have been instructed to report anyone for any medical or social problems to the DVLA. If you tell your GP you like a drink for instance or had a dizzy spell or maybe suffer depression he could in his wisdom pass this on to the DVLA.
The GP will not take the responsibility on himself for your safe driving so he is perfectly in his rights to pass on even minor possible problems you might report to him.
What do you think.?

I don't think you're right in saying that the GP's have been instructed to report any social or minor problems to the DVLA. GP's are urged to report medical problems which would affect the person's ability to drive.
 
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I don't think you're right in saying that the GP's have been instructed to report any social or minor problems to the DVLA. GP's are urged to report medical problems which would affect the person's ability to drive.
Like a dizzy spell a drink problem or maybe depression you mean.
 

Judge Mental

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Report on radio only the other week about this and some of the diasterous consequences and loss of life caused by oldies refusing to face facts. About time
I think but in no way enough leaving it up to doctors, should be re tests for all at some stage...

The main thing that came out of program was that concerned family members have no way of reporting an elderly relative who refuses to stop...

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CWH

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Well if it stops people like my dad driving then I'm all for it.
We tried & tried to get his licence removed but couldn't, even when he drove under a double-decker & nearly killed my niece.
Thank goodness he now can't drive.
 

Judge Mental

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Well if it stops people like my dad driving then I'm all for it.
We tried & tried to get his licence removed but couldn't, even when he drove under a double-decker & nearly killed my niece.
Thank goodness he now can't drive.

And these incidences not uncommon: (
 

Southdowners

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Like a dizzy spell a drink problem or maybe depression you mean.

A dizzy spell or depression - absolutely would not affect a person's ability to drive. Why do you think they would?

A drink problem... well that depends on whether the person drives while under the influence. If they're sober enough to pass a breath test then I would think they're just as capable as anyone else.

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Wickolad

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Like a dizzy spell a drink problem or maybe depression you mean.
Dizzy spells probably depending on diagnosis but drinking and depression maybe not. Parkinson's and the like, probably. Besides that, the dvla have enough problems coping as it is, there's no way they could cope with policing that. Doctors, well they are pulled out enough, I think they have enough on there plates without reporting Mrs turtle for having 2 glasses of wine with her breakfast.
The realistic view is that if it's a disease that will effect sight and ability to drive safely without risk of passing out at the wheel then I think the doc is able to stand up and not fear reproach for not reporting.
Drink driving is a police matter not a doctors. They just pick up the pieces when it's all gone wrong.
 
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Dizzy spells probably depending on diagnosis but drinking and depression maybe not. Parkinson's and the like, probably. Besides that, the dvla have enough problems coping as it is, there's no way they could cope with policing that. Doctors, well they are pulled out enough, I think they have enough on there plates without reporting Mrs turtle for having 2 glasses of wine with her breakfast.
The realistic view is that if it's a disease that will effect sight and ability to drive safely without risk of passing out at the wheel then I think the doc is able to stand up and not fear reproach for not reporting.
Drink driving is a police matter not a doctors. They just pick up the pieces when it's all gone wrong.
All very logical Wickolad but remember these are the times when the DVLA will revoke your license for something as minor as not getting a form back on time.
 

Landy lover

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I'd go along with a compulsory (free) annual medical and practical check for driving capability for every driver reaching the age of ?? (65?). [/QUOTE]

That would never happen DVSA cannot even cope with the number of people wanting tests let alone people needing age related. Although accidents with OAP's often hit the headlines you need to look at the figures the majority of accidents are attributed to 17 to 23 year olds and then progressively less as people get older.

The biggest problem as far as I can see is that provided you only want to retain the right to drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes you can self certify that you are fit to drive without seeing a doctor

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