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Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

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Driving with a disability rules and regulations in the UK Anu Varshney Consultant Practitioner/Head of Service Driving Mobility; Chair:2013-2017 South East DriveAbility, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
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Page 1: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Driving with a

disability – rules and

regulations in the UK

Anu Varshney

Consultant Practitioner/Head of Service

Driving Mobility; Chair:2013-2017

South East DriveAbility,

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Page 2: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Michon’s Driving Hierarchy

Adapted from Michon 1979,

Wedding 1992

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility is

the working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number: 298178. A

company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584

Page 3: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Sensory Skills

Vision

• Distance Vision

• Field of Vision

• Depth Perception

• Accommodation (Near vision focusing)

• Night Vision (Glare Recovery) Hearing

Touch/Proprioception

Page 4: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Physical Skills and Abilities

• Physical strength

• Physical & Mental stamina and

Muscle Flexibility

• Good Joint range of motion and Co-

ordination

Page 5: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Cognitive & Perceptual Skills

• Concentration & Attention/Information Processing

• Memory

• Reasoning ability

• Visual/Spatial ability

• Executive Function

• Behaviour (Impulsive)

Page 6: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Ways in which MS may affect your driving

ability and safety Recent studies show following can

affect driving performance

• Cognitive changes and

• spasticity (Muscle stiffness &

spasm) – difficulty with car control

• Effects of medications

( With increasing number of

medications to manage symptoms

and with increasing doses, the

likelihood increases that they could

affect “Wakefulness, concentration,

co-ordination and reaction time)

Page 7: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Your ability to drive safely may be affected if

you experience any of the following • Difficulty in getting in/out of car

• Muscle weakness or spasm/cramps/pain in arms, legs

• Loss of sensation in the feet or hands

• Impaired co-ordination

• Slowed reaction time

• Fatigue – low arousal

• Seizures or loss of consciousness

• Blurred vision, blind spots, double vision

• Cognitive problems (Inability to multitask, disorientation etc.)

Page 8: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Driving Licence

Regulations The EU Driving Licence Directive (91/439/EC, 2006/126/EC) :–

“expects a critical evaluation of the functional capacities of applicants in relation to the driving task.”

DIRECTIVE 2006/126/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 December 2006 on driving licences: 3rd Driving Licence Directive

Article 7 1. …

(a) who have passed a test of skills and behaviour and a theoretical test and who meet medical standards, in accordance with the provisions of Annexes II and III;

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility is

the working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number: 298178. A

company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584

Page 9: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Licence Holder’s Duty

Section 94(1) 1988 RTA

“ If at any stage during the period for which his/her licence

remains in force, a licence holder becomes aware.. That

he has a relevant or perspective disability…the licence

holder must notify the secretary of state of the nature &

extent of the disability”

Source: DVLA Medical Branch

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility is the

working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number: 298178. A

company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584

Page 10: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Doctors and other healthcare

professionals should (New

Guidelines from DVLA)

•Advise the individual on the impact of their medical condition for safe driving ability

•Advise the individual on their legal requirement to notify the DVLA of any relevant condition

•Treat, manage and monitor the individual’s condition with on-going consideration of their fitness to drive

Notify the DVLA when fitness to drive requires notification but an individual cannot or will not

notify the DVLA themselves.

Of course, this last obligation on professionals may pose a challenge to issues of consent and

the relationship between patient and healthcare professional. The GMC and The College of

Optometrists offer guidance on this. (Note that the GMC has currently updated this guidance.)

Page 11: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

NEW DRUG DRIVING RULES

Page 12: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Sativex and driving

• In England and Wales the law says that anyone found with certain drugs in

their body while driving can be prosecuted, whether their driving is impaired

or not.

• The roadside tests the police use to check for drugs can detect very small

amounts of the drug in your system. Unfortunately, this means that if you

take Sativex, you may test positive for cannabis.

• However, if you are taking Sativex as prescribed by your health professional,

you can claim a ‘medical defence’, as long as your driving is not impaired.

• The government recommend that if you are taking Sativex, that you have

evidence, such as a letter from the DVLA, prescription receipt or a letter from

your MS specialist, in your car to avoid any problems if stopped. If you don’t

have the evidence on you, you may have to present it at a later date.

For more information, or if you have any concerns, contact the DVLA.

Page 13: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

The DVLA and your driving licence

If you have a driving licence, you have to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing

Agency (DVLA) that you have been diagnosed with MS. They will assess your

fitness to drive using the information you provide, and they may ask you to have

a medical examination or a driving assessment.

You may be:

allowed to keep your licence

given a temporary licence, valid for one, two or three years

given a licence that specifies which adaptations you need to use, or

in extreme cases told to stop driving

Source: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/ms-support/practical-and-financial help/driving-and-dvla

Page 14: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Changes in the Driver

• Physical

• Vision alters

• Cognitive changes

• Health conditions:

existing ones change,

new ones develop

Page 15: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Challenge for us: Giving up Driving

Page 16: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Driving Mobility Formerly known as the Forum of Mobility Centres

Driving Mobility is a network of 16 independent organisations covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which offer professional, high quality information, advice and assessment to people who need to gain or retain independence through mobility.

Page 17: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Driving Mobility • Governing Body in UK for all Mobility Centres

• Accreditation

• Standards for our sector

• Collaboration with other organisations/agencies – Older Drivers Forum,

Motability

• Research & Development

• International partnership –CIECA

• Innovation – Fitness to drive initiative with Hampshire Constabulary

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility

is the working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number:

298178. A company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584

Page 18: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Who do we offer advice

and assessment to?

• People with a medical condition that may impact their ability to make

appropriate decisions with regards to safe driving

• People with a disability who think they may need special modifications to a

motor vehicle in order to be able to control it safely

• Experienced, older drivers who may have concerns about their standard of

driving

• Parents/Carers who need to transport people, including children, with

restricted mobility in a motor vehicle

• People considering a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV)

• People who wish to begin, or return to driving following an illness, injury or

accident

• People who are recovering from an accident or injury which may temporarily

affect their ability to drive or transfer to a vehicle.

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility is

the working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number: 298178. A

company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584

Page 19: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

What do we offer?

Assessment and advice:

on adaptations to overcome physical problems with vehicle control

with regard to your ability to drive safely

on wheelchair and scooter loading and transportation regarding passenger /

driver access to vehicles

The following assessment and advice are available at some Centres:

wheelchair/scooter selection

motorcycles or heavy goods vehicles

vocational assessments for taxi drivers and PSV licence holders

postural support seating solutions for air travel

paediatric assessment including powered wheelchairs and car seats

Try before you Fly

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility is

the working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number: 298178. A

company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584

Page 20: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

The Assessment Process

Vision

Physical Abilities

Cognitive

Assessment

Seating and Posture

Static Testing

Practical On-Road

Drive

Page 21: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

ASSESSMENT

Physical • Range of movement and

muscle strength

• Manual dexterity

• Sensation in the hands and

feet

• Proprioception

• Co-ordination

• Praxis

Cognitive • No one assessment tool has

yet been approved for use in all Centres; each Centre has its own battery of assessments.

• Currently used Tools such as MOCA, RDB, Trail Making, FAST to highlight possible problems on the drive and provide evidence in the event of a negative outcome

Page 22: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

STATIC TESTING

• Carried out on a Driver Testing Station or in-car.

• Tests for steering strength; brake/clutch

pressure and reaction to emergency stops.

• Considers whether client is able to operate

secondary controls within the vehicle.

Page 23: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

PRACTICAL DRIVE

• Carried out in a dual-controlled vehicle

• Looking for a safe drive with good observations, the ability to keep up with traffic, due regard for other road users and the ability to forward plan and deal with hazards as they occur

• Carried out on pre-determined routes

Page 24: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Outcome of Assessment

At the end of the assessment, the client will be told the outcome, which will generally be: • Safe to drive without adaptations • Safe to drive, with adaptations • Safe to retrain to drive with adaptations (review

required when competent) • Unsafe to drive DVLA will make the final decision about Licence

Page 25: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Driving Licence Code: Automatic 78 Audible Bleeper

Switch

35 Modified Driver’s Seat 43

Manufacturers Power

Steering

40 Push/Pull Hand

Control

30 Push Button Start 35

City Power Steering 40 Push Brake 20 Push Button Gear

Selector

10

Lightened Power

Steering

40 Steering Ball Left Not

coded

Modified Driver’s Seat 43

Integrated Indicator

Switch

35 Steering Ball Right Not

coded

Accelerator Under Ring 25

Wireless/Infra Red

Device

35 Left Foot

Accelerator

25 Accelerator Over Ring 25

Page 26: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Alternative Mobility Options

• Access to Work Scheme

• Mobility Allowance

• Bus Pass

• Senior Railcard / Disabled Persons Railcard

• Assistance with Holiday Travel

• Community Transport Services

• Taxi Card / Token Schemes

• Mobility Scooters

• Shop Mobility

• Delivery of Shopping

Page 27: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Skills -set required to work in our Field

• “Nerve of steel”

• Target driven

• Skills for debriefing session-”Saying NO is not easy”

• Collaborative working with Stat/non stat./voluntary sectors

• Business enterprise

• Project management

• Teaching and Training

• Social Marketing

• Dealing with Media & Communication

• Writing up Business Plan

• Legislation

• Public Health Agenda

• Product design- adaptations

• Working as “Expert Witness” level skills development

• Willingness to undertake PG Cert/Prof. Cert course in Driving assessment & outdoor mobility from University of Chester

Page 28: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Lots of help at Hand

• DVLA and Driving with MS

• MS Society

• Blue badge scheme

• The Forum of Mobility Centres

• Motability scheme

Page 29: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility is the

working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number: 298178. A

company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584

Page 30: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

Latest News from Tech world!!!!!!

Google is to start building its

own self-driving cars

'Google says it will initially

build 100 prototype

vehicles

Google says it

expects its self-

drive cars to be on

the road 'within a

year

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27587558

Page 31: Anu Varshney, driving with a disability

ANURAJ VARSHNEY

CONSULTANT PRACTITIONER/Head of Service

South East DriveAbility

Kent Community Health NHS Trust/Forum of Mobility

Centres

The First Floor, Aylesford Logistics Centre,

Bellingham way, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6XS

Tel: 03000134886

Email: [email protected]

Driving Mobility · Tel: 0800 559 3636 · Email: [email protected] Driving Mobility is the

working name of the Forum of Mobility Centres. Registered charity number: 298178. A

company limited by guarantee. Registered number: 2192584


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