1,018 diabetics have LGV rights returned
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By Chris Tindall
MORE THAN 1,000 former LGV drivers have had their driving entitlements returned to them since the law regarding diabetes was overhauled a year ago.
In figures released to CM under the Freedom of Information Act, the DVLA said it received 1,445 applications from LGV drivers between 15 November 2011 and 24 September. It added that the number of applications received may have even been higher because they have been categorised into several application types before processing.
Of the total figure, 1,018 have been successful in winning back their licences. The remaining 427 applicants are either still being investigated or have had their application refused.
Since the law changed, diabetics who treat their condition with insulin have been able to reapply for their licence because research showed they are at no greater risk of causing accidents than the rest of the population.
Ian Gallagher, policy manager at the Freight Transport Association, said: “There are more than 1,000 drivers out there who are better off than they were before this rule came in. It was seen fit that they do not represent the sort of risk they used to represent, as medical processes in place are that much better than they used to be. “But there is also a word of caution: those 1,000 [or so] people will have not got their licences at the same time, so there’s a heck of a monitoring exercise in place to ensure this policy is the correct one,” he added.
“As far as government agencies are concerned, this is a rather brave step. We can only support it.”