The road to Utopia

RoSPA has recently launched www.olderdrivers.org.uk, produced with support from the Department for Transport and in partnership with a number of other organisations, which is intended as a resource for people concerned that their age may be starting to affect their ability to drive.

But among all the advice is a list that will prove invaluable for anyone who drives – particularly those who need to do so for work.

It is not just those of a certain age who need to be aware of the health conditions that can affect their driving. There are many ailments that can strike anyone at any time, so it is incredibly important for those who drive for work, and those who manage fleet, to bear in mind what to do if any of the conditions apply to them.

As explained under the Common Conditions section of the new website, the exact rules and advice on what you must do depend on the exact nature of the condition, so it is essential to seek and follow advice from medical professionals and to comply with any decision the DVLA makes about a driver’s licence – their decision is final.

Common conditions that can affect drivers include eyesight issues, hearing loss, diabetes, epilepsy and sleep disorders, and each will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis should a driver present with any of these.

Perhaps the most common complaint is an issue with eyesight. In good daylight, a driver must be able to read a car number plate from a distance of 20 metres, while wearing glasses or contact lenses if necessary.

Any condition that affects both eyes, other than long or short sight or colour blindness, must be reported to the DVLA, and an assessment of your vision will be made. In the most serious cases a licence can be revoked (as with any serious condition) so it is strongly recommended that all drivers have an eyesight test with an optician every two years. If following assessment the DVLA says a driver can continue on the road, they should consider a driving assessment.

But often a medical condition’s effect on a driver’s ability is not so cut and dried.

For example, diabetes can cause vision problems – and even lead to blindness if not treated – and can cause sudden loss of consciousness in a hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic episode. Epilepsy can cause seizures or loss of consciousness, while heart conditions can cause dizziness, fainting or blackouts.

In all instances, it is always best to seek advice from a doctor, who will advise as to whether the DVLA must be informed.

Unfortunately, the issue of health conditions for drivers has been under the spotlight for the wrong reasons recently.

In Scotland, the case of the Glasgow bin lorry deaths – after which the driver of the council-owned vehicle said he had passed out at the wheel – thrust the issue to the fore, while outside of the occupational sphere the issue of older drivers’ health continues to be discussed, hence the need for our new website.

Health is something that drivers and fleet managers should always keep at the forefront of their minds when conducting risk assessments.

Much more information is available on the main RoSPA website, www.rospa.com, by searching for Driving for Work: Fitness to Drive, and Driving for Work: Drink and Drugs.