My friend has had Parkinson's over 10 years. She is getting worse and worse but her family pretend it is not happening. I am very scared to get in a car she is driving. In fact I will not let her drive me, but I haven't told her yet. I manage to get round it at the moment. But I will have to tell her soon. How can I tell her? She is patently a danger on the road. I have written to the DVLA but they have done nothing.
Hello No 1 Friend.
I had this problem. My o/h has p/d and it was difficult. I faffed around for ages trying to put it kindly but in the end I told him straight using a few instances.
In fact he was grateful because he'd lost his confidence. He doesn't miss driving at all, only in that there is now quite a burden on me and mentions that a lot in company.
Kind regards
JC
I had this problem. My o/h has p/d and it was difficult. I faffed around for ages trying to put it kindly but in the end I told him straight using a few instances.
In fact he was grateful because he'd lost his confidence. He doesn't miss driving at all, only in that there is now quite a burden on me and mentions that a lot in company.
Kind regards
JC
Hi No.1 Friend
when a person is diagnosed with PD then they have to inform the DVLA. I did and they issued me with a 3 year licence even though I am not on any medication yet. I have to re-apply in 3 years but dont know what is involved and how I'll be by then.
You could get round this by asking your friend if she had informed the DVLA when first diagnosed and if not, why not.Its a start and hopefully she'll get the message before anyone gets hurt. Good luck
Renee
when a person is diagnosed with PD then they have to inform the DVLA. I did and they issued me with a 3 year licence even though I am not on any medication yet. I have to re-apply in 3 years but dont know what is involved and how I'll be by then.
You could get round this by asking your friend if she had informed the DVLA when first diagnosed and if not, why not.Its a start and hopefully she'll get the message before anyone gets hurt. Good luck
Renee
Hi.
I realised for myself that I was becoming a danger to other road users, and surrendered my licence voluntarily. If I'd carried on driving and killed a child or something I'd never have been able to live with that on my conscience.
Perhaps you could start a conversation about sick or old drivers (like me) in general, and then the risks to the public. Make it more personal later.
I still have my Motability car, but my o/h is the only person insured to drive it.
Ray.
I realised for myself that I was becoming a danger to other road users, and surrendered my licence voluntarily. If I'd carried on driving and killed a child or something I'd never have been able to live with that on my conscience.
Perhaps you could start a conversation about sick or old drivers (like me) in general, and then the risks to the public. Make it more personal later.
I still have my Motability car, but my o/h is the only person insured to drive it.
Ray.
Can anyone help me please. Ive seen the PD nurse today for 6 month check up. We discussed driving &I said I wasnt as confident as before. When she asked if I was sure I could stop in time, I said honestly I didnt know. She said I shouldnt drive for now, upped my medication and suggested I had a driving assessment.
Has anyone done this & whats involved? Ive looked at a website & seen a cost of £75.00, which is a lot on a pension, but its a whole heap better than killing someone!
Any advice would be good.
Thanks
Has anyone done this & whats involved? Ive looked at a website & seen a cost of £75.00, which is a lot on a pension, but its a whole heap better than killing someone!
Any advice would be good.
Thanks
.
When my 3-year licence was coming up for renewal I was instructed by the DVLA to take a specialised driving assessment/test in Leeds. I think the fee and travel expenses were paid for by the DVLA.
It took half a day, and started with questions and simple reaction tests, followed by reaction times on a computer driving simulator, and finally a proper test out on the surrounding roads, driving THEIR car and carrying 2 examiners. They'll probably include a couple of trick instructions like "Take the next turning on the left", when they actually know that the next turning is a "No Entry".
It was all very civilised and non-pressured, though. They let you go at your own pace, and stop for tea & bickies whenever you want! They seem to be on the patient's side.
Ray.
When my 3-year licence was coming up for renewal I was instructed by the DVLA to take a specialised driving assessment/test in Leeds. I think the fee and travel expenses were paid for by the DVLA.
It took half a day, and started with questions and simple reaction tests, followed by reaction times on a computer driving simulator, and finally a proper test out on the surrounding roads, driving THEIR car and carrying 2 examiners. They'll probably include a couple of trick instructions like "Take the next turning on the left", when they actually know that the next turning is a "No Entry".
It was all very civilised and non-pressured, though. They let you go at your own pace, and stop for tea & bickies whenever you want! They seem to be on the patient's side.
Ray.
HI Ray of Sunshine! Thanks for the information. I'll look into this. I volunteer at my local DIAL so will ask them if there is any grant available for this, as I havent been officially told to have the assesment, which means Id proabaly have to pay. Will also contact DVLA to see what they say. They granted me a 1 year licence last May, so I will have to jump thru some kind of hoop then anyway.
My husband gave up driving about a year ago . . even before he was diagnosed I realised his judgement wasnt what it used to be . We had recently changed to an automatic and he complained about the accelerator pedal his foot kept slipping off .
He went for an eye test which was normal we bought a smaller car and then he was diagnosed with Parkinsons . Gradually I noticed that he would keep wandering to the centre of the road , he didnt realise it himself . His reactions were still good but after searching the net for symptons I realised it was his spacial awareness . I explained that it was no difference to his judgement going through doorways .
It is not nice to have to have to say that it would be better if he gave up driving I also don''t drive myself so it was a big lifestyle for both of us .
Thankfully he agreed that I was right and we now take a lot of taxis .
There must be a lot of of Parkinsonians who are single and drive on their own and are not aware of this problem ..
He went for an eye test which was normal we bought a smaller car and then he was diagnosed with Parkinsons . Gradually I noticed that he would keep wandering to the centre of the road , he didnt realise it himself . His reactions were still good but after searching the net for symptons I realised it was his spacial awareness . I explained that it was no difference to his judgement going through doorways .
It is not nice to have to have to say that it would be better if he gave up driving I also don''t drive myself so it was a big lifestyle for both of us .
Thankfully he agreed that I was right and we now take a lot of taxis .
There must be a lot of of Parkinsonians who are single and drive on their own and are not aware of this problem ..
The patient is obliged by law to informed the DVLA of their PD diagnosis as soon as they're told themselves. If they don't they're committing an offence, AND their licence and insurance will be invalid.
In addition they must inform their insurers, who may apply restrictions or adjust premiums. Once the DVLA knows, they will contact whoever they feel necessary - medical or otherwise - to establish whether the patient is safe enough to be on the roads, and they may require a special medical to be taken, or a "disabled" driving test to be undertaken.
Only then will they issue a short-term licence (1, 2 or 3 years). When that runs out the patient is checked out again by the same set of procedures. IN THEORY this should catch deteriorating drivers in time, BEFORE they become too much of a danger to the public.
I'm not totally convinced, though .....
In addition they must inform their insurers, who may apply restrictions or adjust premiums. Once the DVLA knows, they will contact whoever they feel necessary - medical or otherwise - to establish whether the patient is safe enough to be on the roads, and they may require a special medical to be taken, or a "disabled" driving test to be undertaken.
Only then will they issue a short-term licence (1, 2 or 3 years). When that runs out the patient is checked out again by the same set of procedures. IN THEORY this should catch deteriorating drivers in time, BEFORE they become too much of a danger to the public.
I'm not totally convinced, though .....
You are correct in not been totally convinced .. My husband had followed all the correct procedures and his consultant told him it was fine for him to continue driving ..
Trouble is the consultant doesn't sit in the car with you , and a lot of people are single and drive alone unaware of the danger they and others are in ..My husband did't recognise his spacial awareness problem ..
Trouble is the consultant doesn't sit in the car with you , and a lot of people are single and drive alone unaware of the danger they and others are in ..My husband did't recognise his spacial awareness problem ..