Older Drivers Medical Fitness to Drive – Southern Mobility, Little Island, Cork

Southern Mobility is a family operated business since 1997, specialising in providing on-road driver assessments, vehicle adaptations, advice and information regarding older drivers and medical fitness to drive.

We engage with universities, hospitals and associations in contributing to research. We enjoy a professional, friendly working relationship with all clients, health services, companies, groups, associations etc. involved in this specialist area.

Traffic Medicine

The National Office for Traffic Medicine (NOTM) was established in 2011 and is a joint initiative between the Road Safety Authority and Trinity College Dublin. They manage the development of road traffic medicine policy and medical fitness to drive guidelines in the Republic of Ireland

Traffic medicine is a relatively new specialism that describes the disciplines, techniques, and methods aimed at reducing the harm traffic crashes inflict on human beings. 

It also tries to ensure that people who either have treatable illnesses or who have some loss of function due to illness retain their independence and mobility. Visit www.rsa.ie

Older Drivers Medical Fitness to Drive

People today are living longer, and older drivers represent an increasing percentage of road users. The process of ageing has implications for driving/road safety.

For many, especially in rural areas, driving is essential to quality of life. Driving represents independence, integrity and confidence. It also provides a means to access necessary services and social interaction with family, friends and community. The loss of driving privileges can cause considerable distress and a lowering of self-esteem and dignity, as well as creating difficulties for daily activities, shopping and social contact.

As a general rule, older drivers are safe drivers. Having many years of practice and recognising their own limitations, most impose self-restrictions on their driving to match their abilities.

As we age, decline in eyesight, hearing, physical mobility etc. as well as health conditions and/or medication may have an impact on driving ability.

Roads have become more complex, volume of traffic and speeds have increased, thereby increasing the demand on driving skills. Because of this increasing demand, driving standards need to be continuously improving to meet the challenges. It is in everyone’s interest to keep older drivers mobile through driving for as long as possible, provided they are safe to do so.

If anyone has a concern regarding a person’s driving ability, discuss your concerns with the your loved one and explore options to make driving safer, more comfortable, and less stressful. Avail of the opportunity to travel with the person and assess how are they managing. Be supportive, not critical.

• Encourage the driver to stay on familiar routes and implement some restrictions such as avoiding night driving, long journeys, high speed roads, and complex routes.
• Try to arrange family members/friends to do some of the driving for the person.
• Encourage the use of public transport
• Driving is best reduced over time rather than all at once, if possible.
• Consider a driver refresher course.

Driving can be a very sensitive subject. No two families resolve any driving issues identically. If anyone has a concern regarding a person’s driving ability and conversation regarding driving is too contentious, discuss it with the general practitioner/health professional.  An on-road driver assessment may provide a suitable option.

Medical Fitness to Drive

In Ireland, a person diagnosed with a disability, illness or medical condition that may affect their ability to drive safely, must inform their car insurance company.

Drivers are also required to report to the National Driver License Service (NDLS) when they become aware of a health condition that may affect their ability to drive safely or if they have to use an adaptation to enable them to drive.

Having informed the car insurance company, the insurers may request a letter from the driver’s doctor.

Having a medical diagnosis and being medically fit to drive should not increase the premium.

Failure to inform their car insurance company may render their car insurance policy void.

For further information visit www.rsa.ie Sláinte agus Tiomáint medical fitness to drive guidelines.

On-Road Driving Assessment

An on-road driving assessment assesses a person’s ability to drive a vehicle in safety and comfort in live traffic situations.

It examines a person’s physical, cognitive, and perceptual ability while driving. It also examines driving behaviour.

It may also assess a driver’s ability to drive with the use of adaptations.

The on-road driving assessment should not be compared to the statutory driving test. While both outcomes evaluate safe driving, the on-road assessment assesses different skill sets.

The intention is to keep a person driving for as long as possible, if they are safe to do so.

Poor driving habits or minor driving faults that may result in failure of a statutory driving test do not necessarily result in a driver being unsuccessful on an on-road assessment.

If a driver is nervous or anxious, every effort should be made to ease the situation and allow them to feel comfortable. A friendly relaxed atmosphere is intended. The driver may be accompanied/supported by a friend/relative during the drive to reassure the driver.

For further information visit www.southernmobility.ie

We also offer:

We now offer:

• Vehicle Adaptations
• Driver Assessments
• Passenger Assessments
• Driver Training
• Training & Consultancy for GPs, occupational therapists and other health professionals
• Advice & Information pertaining to licensing, medical fitness to drive, financial assistance etc.