My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you
Prince Philip’s recent car crash, and his decision to surrender his licence, has shone the media spotlight on older people’s driving ability.
The first question is if older people are less safe at all. There are half a million 17-19 year old drivers,1 in 65, but they account for 1 in 17 accidents. By contrast, there are 7 times more older drivers but only 1 in 10 accidents in this age. It’s important to recognise these figures might be skewed by the fact that older people drive fewer miles.
If you have a long term condition that could affect your driving, it’s up to you to let the DVLA know. You need to tell your insurance company too or your insurance will be invalid. Your doctor can tell you if you could be affected.
Epilepsy is the most obvious medical reason you shouldn’t drive as seizures can cause loss of consciousness with no warning. Everyone with epilepsy must inform the DVLA and, as a rule, you’re not allowed to drive until you have been seizure-free for at least a year, or 6 months after a first seizure in some cases. Blackouts are common with 1 in 3 A&E attendances due to loss of consciousness. It’s thought 2-3 times more accidents are due to blackouts than seizures. If you have a blackout while sitting, check with your doctor if you need to inform the DVLA. A simple faint while standing means you don’t need to tell them and can keep driving. However, if there’s no obvious reason for the blackout, you must tell the DVLA. They’ll send a questionnaire with more information and you may
THERE’S NO UPPER AGE LIMIT FOR DRIVING A NORMAL CAR, BUT OVER-70S MUST REAPPLY FOR A LICENCE EVERY THREETHREE YEARS
need medical reports. You won’t be able to drive until 1, 6 or 12 months after your last blackout, depending on the circumstances. Again, your GP or consultant can advise.
Multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease and other conditions affecting your nervous system can all affect your ability to drive. Again, you’ll have to fill in a questionnaire and may be given a limited licence.
Having a stroke or a TIA (the same symptoms, but going away on their own within 24 hours) doesn’t always mean you won’t be able to drive.
In fact, while you mustn’t drive for at least a month, you don’t need to tell them unless you still have weakness or eyesight problems. However, if your stroke was caused by a brain tumour or other brain problem, you do need to inform them.
If you had multiple TIAs, you mustn’t drive and do need to tell the DVLA. You can start driving three months after your last TIA.
Having angina which comes on at rest, when you’re driving or when your emotions are high, means you mustn’t drive. You’re allowed to start driving again once your angina is controlled.
Certain operations, particularly ones on your tummy or legs, render you unfit to drive until you’ve fully recovered. The deciding factor is often not whether you’re fit to drive normally, but whether you could safely perform an emergency stop. Ask your team about the regulations for your procedure before you leave hospital.
Some medications can make you drowsy, so it’s important to check with your pharmacist if you’re in doubt. Among the most common medicines involved are strong “opioid” painkillers, tranquillisers like benzodiazepine, and some antidepressants. Next week: Skin problems, skin solutions
INSULIN AND SULPHONYLUREA TABLETS FOR DIABETES CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS LOW BLOOD SUGAR – ALWAYS CHECK THE DRIVING REGULATIONS WITH YOUR DOCTOR
CERTAIN OPERATIONS, PARTICULARLY ONES ON YOUR TUMMY OR LEGS, RENDER YOU UNFIT TO DRIVE UNTIL YOU’VE RECOVERED’’