Driving and Your Health

When you are in charge of a motor vehicle – including a motorcycle or any other vehicle that is required by law to be driven on public roads – you as an individual are responsible for your health and safety as well as the safety of anyone you come into contact with whilst driving.

With this in mind you should be aware of your health and whether or not it may have some bearing on your ability to drive safely; if you are in any doubt as to your health and its overall affect on your driving then you should immediately consult your doctor.

There are certain medical conditions which can affect your driving or put other road users at risk if unchecked and they include:

• Poor eyesight
• Diabetes
• Neurological Conditions
• Heart Problems
• Alcohol, drugs or substance abuse

It is of course taken as a given that if you suffer from an addiction to alcohol or drugs that you should not under any circumstances be in charge of a motor vehicle. However it is an unfortunate fact that not all individuals suffering from such an addiction make it know to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).

Eyesight

Your eyesight is the most important tool you have when driving on any road. Not only do you need to have good eyesight to spot oncoming traffic and potential hazards but you need to be able to read road signs from a distance and also be able to differentiate between the colours on traffic lights.

You should have regular eye tests to ensure that your vision is at the required level to be in charge of a vehicle.

Diabetes

Many diabetics drive a car without any problem at all but it is important to be aware of the risks diabetes carries if not treated in the correct manner. Most diabetics self-inject their insulin and do so daily but it is possible that due to circumstances beyond their control they cannot which could possibly lead to their lapsing into a coma; if this happens whilst in charge of a motor vehicle the consequences could be tragic.

Neurological Conditions

This refers to problems such as Epilepsy; again many epileptics do drive but only after their doctor has given them the all clear. If you suffer from epilepsy – or indeed any medical condition – you should consult your doctor who will, in accordance with the laws laid down by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) determine as to your fitness.

Heart Problems

Problems such as angina, tachycardia or a narrowing of the arteries must all be declared and you must receive a clean bill of health from your doctor. Failure to acknowledge such problems can lead to accidents and indeed the unfortunate loss of life if an accident is caused by someone suffering from such conditions.

Surrendering Your Licence

If you have been diagnosed with any of the aforementioned conditions and have consulted with your doctor who suggests you should not drive then it is best to surrender your licence to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).

You should be aware that failing to surrender your licence in the knowledge that you suffer from a condition that makes it difficult for you to drive is an offence.

The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) are legally obliged to consult with your doctor as to your health before issuing you with a licence – or if your licence has come up for renewal – and if it is found that you have not disclosed any information regarding your health which may have prevented the issue of a licence then your licence will be revoked.

You can download the required paperwork from the DVLA website should you wish to surrender your licence – or it can be picked up from any local DVLA office.