Do you think it is neccesary to ban someone from Driving on Medical Grounds?

Mutt

Yes, depending on the condition. For example, if someone has a history of seizures, you wouldn't them driving until they can prove that the medication is working (if they are on meds for it).

Eric C

If the medical condition can effect your ability to safely operate a motor-vehicle... yes, there should definately be a restriction (or ban) on your driving.

...I don't want to share a road with you if you're unsafe. (i.e., if you're prone to seizures... if you have convulsive attacks... if your vision, awareness, hearing, or reflexes have been compromises... if you spontaneously get wonky due to sudden and severe diabetic reactions... etc., etc., etc.)

J'adore

Yes... if it's a seizure disorder, deteriorating vision, bad peripheral vision, narcolepsy , history of black outs that aren't self induced.

sensible_man

Yes, if you have a medical condition that can make you an unsafe driver.

roach

guy i know seizures frequently. despite taking medication he has crashed at least three cars in five years. no one else was hurt, but he should not be driving. but i would think its a case by case issue. if you are medically unfit to drive, you are a risk to other drivers.

A.Mercer

If, for medical reasons, the person cannot drive or is impaired and cannot safely drive then yes.

Stubby

Absolutely. If they, or you, are a potential danger to other motorists or pedestrians, then there's no way they, or you, should be behind the wheel.

Common bleedin' sense !!!

James M

Yes, of course it is

Doethineb

If you are suffering from an illness which could seriously impair your driving (such as severe epilepsy or occasional blindness) then I would say yes. If you have been banned for something trivial, then perhaps you should appeal.

Zed

yes, epilepsy for example or a serious heart condition.

Emmy

Yes, there are many medical reasons people shouldn't drive.
Not mental reasons either.
Medications can impair driving. That is why the dentist won't give sedation if you are driving yourself.

yes, if the medical grounds call for it. if unsure, don't drive and seek medical/legal advise

iiidontknowdoyou

In some cases yes! Like if you've had a history of passing out, you shouldn't be driving!

feelingbuzzy

Yes -- but it depends on the medical issue.

jed slade

If you are unfit to drive,then yes.You may then take a special test which may allow you to have and drive a certain type of transport suitable to your needs,but easier and adapted for you to drive.

IP_Outcast

Yes. My friend was banned from driving because he had a brain tumour and wasn't allowed to drive again until it had been drained. If he had been allowed to drive before this point he could have had a seizure and caused an accident.

Obviously all cases differ, but mostly I would think that if you receive a driving ban for medical reasons it's probably justified.

GAVIN E

If you have any condition that may cause you to have seizures, then yes they can take you license off you.

The only way yo can get the license back is to be free from seizures for a minimum 12 month period.

It for the person's and other road users safety.

Home Girl

Duh yeah.
How would feel if an epileptic driver had a fit at the wheel and ran over your mom.

scottclear

Yep. Anyone subject to seizures, comas, blackouts, insulin reactions or the like should not drive. Eventually, someone will kill people.

** Note: This is a general discussion of the subject matter of your question and not legal advice. Local laws or your particular situation may change the general rules. For a specific answer to your question you should consult legal counsel with whom you can discuss all the facts of your case. Answering this question does not indicate an attorney-client relationship. **

goforit

Depends on the medical grounds surely?

pirate_princess

Blindness is a medical ground, so yes!!!

My uncle is epileptic my friend diabetic, neither are allowed to drive.

ShadowCat

Get another Physician's Medical Opinion as to your condition and present it to the DMV...)Don't tell the second Doctor what the other said. They tend to agree with each other and defend each other Right or Wrong)

Sometimes it is necessary to ban a person, especially If they have become senile, mentally incapacitated for any number of reasons Or have been previously caught driving while taking medications that Impair vision or thinking.

cayennesun

Ahh, this is a very touchy subject. Does one allow an adult the dignity of making that decision for themselves or letting the law do it for them if their actions warrant it (yes, this may mean an accident), or does one remove a person's rights just because they have the power to and think it's the right thing to do?

If this is in relation to a 'senior friend' then as long as that person is cognitively there, then that is their decision. Yes, people can override a person's free-will choice. Some often do. And for seniors that can mean a huge shift and some feel as though they've been removed from useful society.
Most elders know when it's time to quit driving and willingly do so. But they usually make that decision on their own. Controllers often jump the gun and then there is a subtle battle of wills over 'would you just hurry up and die already', even though it's never spoken of. I know that sounds horrible. No more horrible than some would say letting someone drive who has no business driving. Until you walk a thousand miles or so in that person's shoes, I wouldn't go near thinking of depriving anyone of their right to do anything when of an advanced age. If the doctor thought it wasn't appropriate for this person to drive, this person wouldn't be driving. If the local police haven't removed the license, and there's only minimal impairment with minor dings and bangs, then leave it alone. We are all driving impaired these days what with orange and yellow alerts, stress of traffic, cell phones, food, noisy passengers, loud music, overthecounter meds and prescribed meds, bad eyesight, surprise animals leaping out in front of the car, blowouts, slick road conditions, etc. etc.

Don't know how you can help the situation, especially with what I've answered here. But I'm sure you get my drift. Leave well enough alone. I realize you're not making this decision and it isn't about you.

Think about it, we are all driving on a wing and a prayer. Don't tell me everyone on here answering are perfectly aware drivers who think solely about driving. Come on, get real. Who are we to decide about someone we know nothing about? BTW my spouse is narcoleptic under dr.s care and has a valid and very good driver's license and record.
Bring on the thumbs.

Blessings and thanks for the Q :)

falk

blind? bad heart? prone to black-outs? narcoleptic?

alan s

Sometimes it is

amacmedic

Only if the person in question is blind or has no physical motor coordination. Other then that, there is no grounds for removing someones freedom to get around on this earth just because I think I know what is best for them and other people.

I had to ponder the same question many years ago as my mother health began to decline. She drove herself where she needed to go until she felt that she would rather have someone else drive. It was not because she couldn't drive, it was because she started to realize that she was not able to focus as much energy towards driving as she needed to in order to be safe.

I did most of the driving for her in the last 5 years of her life. There was a one time, however, that she needed to prove to herself (and me) that she still had the dignity to do for herself what she thought was necessary.

She decided one day that she wanted to drive herself to dialysis. I was against it and began to try to talk her out of it, but she was determined to drive. When I saw the need for her to do this, I agreed.

I will say that it was a very long 20 minute drive. There were times that I was holding on to my car seat a bit to tightly, but we made it to the dialysis unit with no problems. After we had arrived, my mother very gently told me that she no longer needed to or wanted to drive anymore.

I think if the elderly are left alone to make up their own minds on when they want to stop driving (and be assured that its OK to do so) then they would do it. If they are made to feel wrong that they want to drive or when they have no say in loosing that privilege (and their freedom) then they will fight for the right to drive, even when they know they shouldn't.

I drive a lot. I put an average of 20,000 mile on my car a year and I have seen my fair share of elderly drivers. I will say that even though I have complained about them being slow or not making lane changes quick enough or waiting to long to make that left turn from the median or not getting on the gas enough while pulling away from a green light and all the other things that I have thought and said about the way they drive, they are probably some of the safest drivers on the road. Why? Because they take the time necessary to make the right decisions. There are more young people in auto accidents then the elderly. Why? Because the young assume. They think they are aware and that no harm will come to them while driving. They don't take the time to be careful.

Do I think that it is necessary to ban someone from driving on medical grounds? As I stated in the beginning, only if they are blind or if they have physical motor coordination issues. Other then that I would say only if I can live with the knowledge that I took someones freedom and dignity away from them just because I could. With loving support, I truly believe that more of the elderly would willingly give up the need to drive.

Richard K

Sometimes, if their eyesight is bad or have another disability which could be problematic.

Dafydd

Yes, if their disability poses a risk or threat to other road users.

Mr Abba

Yes because that person could end up killing someone because of his medical condition.

redgator40

sometimes. depends on the condition. and congratulations for keeping your mental illness in check.

Blue Sky

You can't be serious. Do you want to give gun permits to blind people, too?

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