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Driving, mental illness and the role of the psychiatrist

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Peter Elwood
Peter Elwood*
Affiliation:
Bootham Park Hospital, Bootham, York YO3 7BY, England
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Abstract

Objectives: Drivers with certain mental illnesses are obliged by the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to stop driving and to report their condition. This study aims to quantify the number of psychiatric patients failing to meet the DVLA standards of ‘fitness to drive’ and to record how frequently psychiatrists failed to advise patients of these standards.

Method: In this prospective descriptive study, 10 psychiatrists reported by questionnaire the diagnosis and driving status of all patients encountered over a four week period. They recorded their advice given to patients failing to meet the DVLA criteria of ‘fitness to drive’ and advice given when prescribing psychotropic medication.

Results: Of 297 patients, 123 (41%) were drivers. 19/123 (13%) of drivers failed to meet the DVLA standards of ‘fitness to drive’. In 9/19 of these cases the psychiatrist did not advise the patient in line with the DVLA guidelines. This was especially the case for alcohol related disorders. Of drivers 49% were prescribed psychotropic medication with potential adverse effects on driving.

Conclusions: Driving amongst mentally ill patients appears commonplace. In this study, 13% of drivers were considered by the authorities to be unfit to drive. Psychiatrists frequently used their own judgement when advising patients regarding driving. This arguably contravenes doctors' responsibilities to patients and has potential legal implications for both the patient and psychiatrist.

Keywords

Mental illnessDrivingPsychiatrist
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , June 1998 , pp. 49 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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