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Motoring news

Coroner questions self-certification of older drivers

25/05/2010

An inquest which found that an elderly driver killed a mother and child after having a heart attack at the wheel is set to reignite the debate about tighter controls for older motorists.

The proceedings at Accrington Town Hall followed a 9 February accident, in which 89-year-old Ernest Wray mounted the pavement in his Rover 400 before crashing into 29-year-old Jackie Bloomer and her 18-month-old son Jayden.

Coroner Michael Singleton raised questions about the system that requires drivers over 70 to complete a questionnaire every three years, in which they self-certify their fitness to drive, the Telegraph reports.

He was told by a doctor for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that Mr Wray had completed the questionnaire truthfully, and that in addition his doctor had believed he was fit to drive.

However, while the inquest heard that there are warnings on the certification form that giving false information can result in prosecution, it is not believed that anyone has ever faced charges for doing so.

Mr Singleton concluded that - under the current system - Wray was both legally and medically fit to drive. Although he had informed the DVLA that he suffered from angina, it was not thought that the condition was brought on by driving.

Instead, the inquest heard that someone suffering from angina would only have to stop driving if the heart pain was caused by driving itself - or if someone reported their driving to the DVLA as a matter of concern.

Mr Singleton asked DVLA doctor Dr Stephanie Williams: "At what stage do the DVLA say 'hang on, this isn't enough'?"

She replied: "At the moment, at no stage do we do that."

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death for all three involved in the crash, which he said had "deeply touched" the people of the Lancashire town.

The subject of elderly drivers has become an emotive question this year, with safety charities and driving organisations taking up opposing positions.

Road safety charity Brake spoke out at the time of the accident, saying that the existing system "isn't good enough", and calling for more rigorous annual 'fit to drive' health checks to be carried out by a professional.

However, the Institute of Advanced Motorists believes that older drivers are among the safest, and advocates making them more aware of the risks they face and offering assessments to help them meet these challenges.

In addition, the organisation said in March that three out of four people would report a friend whose driving they believed to be dangerous.

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