To Drive or Not to Drive: The Role of Medical Professionals in Appraising Senior Drivers
Jen Monroe
Older drivers are the fastest growing group in the U.S. in 2016 with nearly one out of 5 drivers 65 years and older. Unfortunately, aging affects driving abilities. Doctors and healthcare practitioners are aware of these issues and know the side effects of medications, decline in cognitive function and memory loss.
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Under the law, physicians and surgeons must disclose to the local health officer certain conditions and disorders that affect an older person’s ability to drive. However, the line between being fit and unfit is oftentimes difficult to define. For seniors, it is devastating to lose their mobility. Physical independence and plenty of movement are important when aging with driving cessation impacting seniors’ health negatively.
The Legal Basis to Report Impaired Senior Drivers
Deaths caused by traffic accidents in the U.S. have decreased by 1% compared to 2016 but there are still reasons for worry (National Safety Council). Distractions while driving and higher speed limits are offsetting the gains made by improved safety systems in vehicles and increased belt usage. Statistics suggest that older drivers do face higher risks of getting into fatal crashes as they age. The CDC reports that at age 75, fatal crash rates increase and are the highest from 80 to 85 years. Under Heath & Safety Code Section 103900, doctors must report to the DMV disorders that indicate lapses of consciousness, memory loss (Alzheimer’s), and other disorders. However, rules for older drivers vary from state to state and physicians must grapple with these differences – when and how to test older drivers or possible legal liabilities when reporting a senior driver.
The Moral and Ethical Aspect of Reporting
Whether to report an impaired patient to the DMV or not is a dilemma faced by doctors. On one hand, patient-doctor confidentiality is violated once they do so but on another front, they have a duty to inform authorities if an older driver is a risk on the road. For most cases, the patient-physician relationship is ultimately broken when doctors blow the whistle on their patients.
The Limitations of Physicians
Doctors are not only faced by ethical concerns when it comes to reporting senior adult drivers. Not all physicians are in the right position to assess their patient’s driving capabilities especially if they have only treated a senior in the short-term. This is a major argument why each case must be evaluated carefully since not all impairments can lead to an obligation for a doctor to report to the authorities. Thus, physicians must not only identify the impairment but also document the physical and mental handicap to demonstrate that a mature patient is unable to drive safely and is a risk to others. More importantly, before reporting, doctors must talk to the patient and explain why driving cessation is important. Counseling the patients and the family can help as well as offering transportation options to mitigate the impact of mobility loss.
Physicians and medical professionals have the competency to recognize impairments in their patients’ driving capability that might affect their safety and that of the public’s. While it is important to comply with state regulations on reporting unsafe drivers, it is equally critical to do so in a compassionate and ethical manner. Talking to patients, exploring mobility options and disclosing only the minimal information to authorities are some of the ways a physician can function both as an authority and a human being. Ultimately, it is the DMV that has the final say whether a senior should still drive or not.
Jen Monroe is a full-time freelance writer and editor. A career in charity PR saw her working in many sectors but now freelancing allows her to focus on the topics that she loves most: wellness, health and nutrition. When not working she loves to go running, traveling with her family and reading.
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