Should Diabetics be Banned from Driving

[ovacik2]

A link sent by a friend via Sype.Have been diabetic for 30 years insulin for 7 years. Restrictd 3 year licence now renewable each 3 years, never been refused insurance cover or extra cost added. Who should make the final call? Any one have views + or - ??

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2011/Aug/diabetic-drivers-could-be-banned-by-eu-rule-change-99559461.html

[KKOB]

I work for a professional driving company that has diabetics on it's books and I have also directly employed diabetics in the past. Never had a safety problem with anyone suffering from diabetes. The final call should be made by a medically qualified person who knows the subject well.

[loz]

As a diabetic that could eventually rely on insulin this greatly concerns me.  
Reading the EU directive on this subject does that mean we an see in the future that ALL humans will have to surrender their driving licences because the human heart is subject to failure?

When will the government have the balls to save money and face and get the hell out of the EU, a bloody waste of time and money.

.

[Ovacikpeedoff]

Another one of these crazy regulations that come out of Europe. There is some logic in it but as usual it goes totally over the top. There are people that should be banned but these are the people who are making little or no effort to control their diabetes. My wifes brother in law is a case in point. He suffers badly from diabetes but that does not stop from heavy drinking. In a recent hypo he finished up bashing up some expensive cars at the golf club.

The decision as to whether someone should be banned from driving should be taken by the medical profession.

[Bluwise]

quote:Originally posted by loz

As a diabetic that could eventually rely on insulin this greatly concerns me.  
Reading the EU directive on this subject does that mean we an see in the future that ALL humans will have to surrender their driving licences because the human heart is subject to failure?

When will the government have the balls to save money and face and get the hell out of the EU, a bloody waste of time and money.

.

Completely agree Loz - but so many will agree to this because we have become so risk-averse with all of these crazy directives.  Your point about heart failure demonstrates it beautifully!

[ovacik2]

I am happy so far that when I apply to have my restricted licence renewed that my Dr or specalist will be asked by DLVA if I an still fit to drive. The tests that the diabetic clinic do to show long term blood sugar levels and other tests are comprehensive, results recorded and reviewed. Tests such as eyesight neuropothy hypos. If Dvla or EU have the final say then who knows. Like ovacikpeedoff notes we do want to keep the non competant off the road. This is due to be in force by October this year.

[kizkucuk]

My friend is an insulin dependant diabetic and has been for over 30 years - she has to undergo a medical every 3 years in order to keep her driving licence,  This has been the case in the UK for as long as I can remember. If you take insulin you are supposed to advise the DVLA - they issue you a three year licence - I don't see that there is going to be much of a change.  
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/driving-with-diabetes.html    or  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/MedicalA-Z/DG_185427

[Jim Fraser]

IMO has to be done by individual case.
Good point made about the Heart -

[ovacik2]

kizkucuk.
Your link is how the law is today. I too have been diabetic 30 years and have been insulin dependant for the past 10 years and have a 3 year restricted licence as posted in the 1st post of this thread.In my case the form required filled in and never had to have a DVLA medical but my Dr has been contacted.

The link in the 1st post is the proposal that is due to come into force in October this year and if Diabetes UK is concerned then I for one am too. They say it could affect 1 million diabetics.

Quote from the link:-A new directive by the European Union and due to come into effect in October, could mean thousands of diabetic drivers in the UK who take insulin having their licences revoked. The rule change introduces a new classification that says many people suffering from diabetes could be seen as unfit to drive, and which could force people who have being driving for many years without any problems - but whose diabetes means they have more than one hypo in a 12-month period - off the roads.

 

[kizkucuk]

We lived in Swansea I wonder whether diabetics that live too close to the DVLA get more requests for medicals.   Just out of interests - how would anyone know how many hypos someone has?  For new diabetics that are trying to get their dosage right and getting used to handling the illness - I can understand they may visit the Dr more and discuss it.  My friend invariably has a diabetic clinic appointments cancelled - sometimes going for well over 12 months without seeing the consultant - she rarely has hypos although sometimes the odd one in the night - she just deals with it - often her husband isn't even aware she's been up - I don't think it would occur to her to mention it to her Dr.