Surely the time has come to allow opticians and health care professionals the right to report an individual who does not meet the eyesight standard for driving.
Currently the patient confidentiality regulations prevent health workers from reporting people who are not fit to drive. They can only advise people to notify the DVLA themselves. This should be changed forthwith. The rights of the individual should not entitle them to put the lives of others at risk in such a blatant manner
I also believe that all of us should have to face reassesment of our driving/riding standard and fitness on a regular basis, regardless of age. Most of us learn to drive and/or ride as reckless teenagers. While most of us do mature into reasonably responsible individuals, we still take the bad habits of our youth with us through the rest of our motoring life. Maybe if we knew that we would have to face some form of assessment in the not too distant future (say once every five years) then we would be much more likely to try to keep our driving up to a reasonable level. Who knows, maybe more of us would even consider taking some form of advanced training!
My final point on this despicable excuse for a human being echoes what several have already said. Why was she not tried for manslaughter? Surely her refusal to take the advice of the optician means that this was in no way an accident.
My deepest sympathy go to this poor man's family and friends.
I hope she dies alone and rots in hell for her lack of remorse.
Posted: 17/03/2008 20:09
