SNEOSG PRESENTATION Driver IncapacityBy Rob Sweeting

Quality Education for Drivers Ltd01473 82409207841 706604

qed1@btopenworld.com

Why is being able to identify driver incapacity so

important?

Six people killed and eight injured in Glasgow bin lorry crash.

Metheringham lorry driver in fatal crash may have had heart attack.

What do we understand by the term incapacities?

Types of ImpairmentPhysical Impairment

• Eyesight.• Hearing Loss

Chemical

• Prescribed, • Non prescribed• Illegal Chemical• Legal Chemical

Psychotic disorders

• Psychosis• Hypomania/mania• Schizophrenia

Medical

• sleep disorders• Diabetes• Cardiovascular disease, • Respiratory disorders• Carcinoma• Renal disorders• AIDS Syndrome

Psychiatric Disorders Stress

• Dementia • Anxiety • Depression

Developmental disorders

• Behaviour disorders • Personality disorders

What does the driving licence tell us?Licence codes

(As per example)

01 - Eyesight correction

15 - Modified clutch

20 - Modified braking systems25 - Modified accelerator systems

42 - Modified rear-view mirror(s)

44 (6) - (adjusted) Rear-view mirror(s)

118 Start date is for earliest entitlement

NOTE:

71 - duplicate of licence

(www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes

Leaflet from DVLA INS57P

www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence)

Eyesight

Minimum standard.Must be able to read a new style number plate

(2 letter prefix) at 20m (Old style at 20.5m). Advice

check at 30mLook for other eye disorders

Eyesight

Changes happen over time and the individual will compensate for them and

may not recognise the deficiency.

Regular eye checks!

Hearing Loss

Chemical Impairment

Medicines Prescribed

Medicines Non Prescribed – legal

Drugs Non Prescribed - legal highs

Stimulants

Drugs Illegal

Alcohol

Prescribed medicines

The driver should make sure that the doctor knows what they do for a living before prescribing and check with the pharmacist.

Any drug stating ”do not

drive or operate machinery” the driver should not be permitted to drive.

Medicines Non Prescribed – legal

Beware!

Many of these medicines can be

bought off the shelf in a supermarket, a pharmacists advice should always be

sought.

Drugs Non Prescribed - legal highs

Very widely available, Very dangerous

Sold as

Not for human consumption

Research chemical pellets

Stimulants Legal

Excessive use!

What goes up must come down!

Look for underlying causes

Drugs Illegal

A drug addict may not conform to your image!“Only 9 % of individuals fit the stereotype of what many perceive an addict to be like.”Kristen McGuiness:

Chemical Impairment - What to look for

Frequently missing work

Accidents

Erratic behaviour

Changes in appearance

Loss of appetite

Lack of personal hygiene 

Memory loss

Loss of social activities

Financial requests,  

Secretive behaviour 

Change in social circles

Change in personality

Highs and lows  

New health concerns 

Paranoia

Alcohol Abuse

Level 1

Misplaced social drinking - Morning after the night before.

Level 2

Addiction, may not fit with your stereotype.

Alcohol Abuse - What to look for

Be aware of the signs of drunkenness, smell of alcohol on breath speech too fast too loud etc but also identify the functioning alcoholic these are people who are heavy drinkers who are extremely good at hiding the symptoms and evidence of heavy drinking.  

Temporary memory loss and blackouts,  

Drinking to cheer up,  

Tried to quit drinking but can’t,

Drinking to be “normal” or “fit in”

Flushed skin/broken capillaries on the face.

Trembling hands.

Problems with family members / friends

Drinking in secret or lying about alcohol intake.

Anxiety, insomnia, nausea when not drinking

Drinking in the Morning.

Medical Impairment

Sleep apnoea,

Sleep disorders,

Fatigue.

Medical Disorders

Diabetes

There are 3 million people diagnosed with diabetes.

In the UK and an estimated 850,000 people who have the condition, but don’t know it.

HGV drivers are a high risk category.

Cardiovascular Disease

HGV DRIVERS ARE A HIGH RISK CATEGORY.

Poor diet lack of exercise or sporadic exercise.

What are the signs of a heart attack?

Blood Donors

Whilst there are no rules preventing driving after if the donor is going to suffer adverse reactions blood donation.

However If the donor is going to react it could be some time after giving a donation.

It is advised that the donor does not drive for a few hours after giving a donation, and certainly not if they feel ill or feint.

Respiratory Disorders

Cough syncope

Carcinoma of lung

Renal Disorders

Failure of kidneys to remove excess fluid may cause: Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, face and/or hands.

Shortness of breath due to extra fluid on the lungs.

Feeling tired and/or weak, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, low blood pressure.

Psychiatric Disorders

Stress

Dementia or any organic brain syndrome.

Anxiety or depression

Psychotic disorders

Developmental disorders

Stress

Behavioural Symptoms

Physiological Symptoms

Psychological Symptoms

Stroke TIA

Face – the face may have fallen on one side, the person may be unable to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.

Arms – the person may not be able to raise both their arms and keep them there due to weakness or numbness in their arms.

Speech – the person may have slurred speech.

Time – if any of these signs or symptoms are present, it is time to dial 999 immediately.

Anxiety or Depression

There are various conditions (disorders) where anxiety is a main symptom. They

become important if the anxiety symptoms interfere with normal day-to-day activities, or

if the worry about developing anxiety symptoms affects day to day life.

About 1 in 20 people have an anxiety disorder at any one time.

DementiaOr any organic brain syndrome

Not necessarily related to age

Substance-Induced Persisting Dementia

Psychotic Disorders

Predominately younger people suffer from Psychosis 80% of patients are aged between 16 and 30, however it is not exclusive to the young.

Psychosis occurs in a number of serious mental illnesses and not just schizophrenia, e.g.

depression, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), puerperal psychosis and sometimes with

drug and alcohol abuse. It can also occur in a number of neurological conditions and with drugs

not associated with abuse.