What can affect YOUR, or a RELATIVE or FRIEND’s ability to drive?
Lancashire County Council Road Safety Officer, and Lancashire Police Serious Collison Investigation Unit Officers presented to Lancashire and South Cumbria GP Practice Managers today, 18th December 2024, asking us to raise awareness due to an increasing number of killed and seriously injured collisions on Lancashire’s roads with medical conditions of eyesight and cognitive decision making as the main contributory factor
We will update this news item when more information is available
Overview
You need to tell DVLA about some medical conditions as they can affect your driving.
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving.
You can voluntarily give up your licence. You might choose to do this if, for example:
- your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more
- your medical condition affects your ability to drive safely and lasts for 3 months or more
- you do not meet the required standards for driving because of your medical condition
You’ll need to tell DVLA and send them your licence.
If you have a medical condition that affects your driving and do not voluntarily give up your licence, you must inform DVLA. They will decide if you can continue holding a driving licence.
Link to driving with medical conditions, Blue badges and transport for disabled people is HERE
Link to gov.uk general information is HERE
Link to Driving eyesight rules is HERE
Worried about someone’s driving?
There are many reasons you may be worried about someone’s driving. It can be a difficult subject to broach, especially with someone you care about, but if you feel that they’ve become a danger to themselves and to others on the roads, then it’s important that you find a way to talk to them about it.
What can affect person’s ability to drive?
Older drivers are generally a safe group on the roads, as experience tends to balance out issues that affect certain aspects of driving. These issues include things like:
- Medication. Some medications can slow reaction time or cause drowsiness.
- Eyesight or vision problems. Poor eyesight can affect someone’s ability to see clearly, both front on or from the sides.
- Hearing loss. Problems with hearing will affect someone’s ability to hear important noises, such as car horns or sirens.
- Mobility problems or pain. Pain and problems with mobility may make it more difficult for someone to use parts of the car – from things such as pulling the handbrake, using the footbrake or moving their head to check their side mirrors.
- Memory problems. Someone with memory problems may get lost, confused or disorientated if they’re in an unfamiliar area.
Encourage the person to speak to their GP or pharmacist about any health conditions or medications that may be affecting their ability to drive safely.
If the change in someone’s driving ability is linked to a health condition, there may be a solution, such as adaptations to their car, that would allow them to keep driving safely.