Doctors want better health checks
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The working party said that since hgv and psv drivers spend a greater proportion of their lives on the road than the private motorist they are more likely to develop their first symptom in potentially dangerous situations.
For this reason they felt that the present system of medical screening was " unsatisfactory." Among points they singled out for criticism were that medical certificates had to be submitted on the first application and it could be over 30 years before another eXamination was needed (20 years for psv). The working party also attacked the fact that there is no obligation for a licence holder to declare any new disability. They were unhappy with the questionnaire on the medical certificate for an hgv which does not detail cardiovascular conditions which could bar a driver.
Examinations were normally carried out by the patient's own doctor and the working party believe that the doctor might be reluctant to take any steps which could endanger his patient's livelihood.
To overcome these points they put forward the following • The present statutory examinations should not be carried out by the applicant's ordinary medical adviser.
• A medical certificate should accompany every application for an hgv or psv that did not involve a fresh examination This would show that no dis. qualifying illness had occurred • Details of disqualifying con. ditions should be included ir notes that form part of thE medical certificate.
• Medical examination shoulc be mandatory for a driver whc is at fault in an accident.
• A medical certificate 01 continued fitness should b( required of any driver who absent with sickness for Ilongel than 21 consecutive days.