Jim Nelson, a self-employed driver in Kendal, Cumbria will lose
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his HGV licence in May simply because he is dependent on insulin...
'There is nothing to say that we are any more a risk to other road users'
Through your pages I would like to say thank you to the Labour Party for putting more people out of work! They have achieved this by letting the European Union stop insulin-dependent diabetics keep their HGV driving licences. I am referring to the Second EC Driving Licence Directive which the Government says means those HGV drivers of 3.5 tonnes and above taking insulin on a daily basis won't be able to renew their licence when it runs out. The law will also apply to minibus drivers.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency says the prohibition is in line with the health requirements of the Directive and that the Government has taken advice from the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving which is made up of eminent national experts. They say drivers could suffer a hypoglycaemic attack, which can1ead to a collapse at the wheel. Well, I am insulin-dependent and have driven HGVs throughout the UK and on the Continent for 17 years without any trouble. I apply for and get an HGV licence after a rigorous medical—something that applies only to recognised medical conditions— and am told that I am as fit as the next man. In fact I'm told I'm fitter as I keep my diabetes under control. I've had no problems since 1991. And I've had to pay for the medical—currently £51.50—out of my own pocket to get my licence every three years. What I'm particularly annoyed about is that the Government has really kept this under its hat. I'm sure there are many drivers out there who don't know about this new law or, more importantly, that it came into effect on 1 January this year. I found out quite by accident when a white envelope fell out of a recent Balance, the British Diabetic Association magazine. I had a glance at the contents and I'm not sure whether to be thankful or not.
I am 58 years old and have been self
employed for the past two years, during which time I've never been short of work. Come May, when my current licence runs out, it simply won't be renewed and I am going to struggle to find another job. I dread to think how many others are going to lose their jobs too—there must be hundreds. What are they going to do? I know we are a minority but why should we lose our livelihoods because someone in Brussels thinks up a law like this, as there is nothing to say that we are any more a risk to other road users?
If you're also going to lose your livelihood, then go and bend the ear of your politician, trade association and local union representative. After all, they're lucky enough to still have jobs.
• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane or fax your views (up to 600 words) on 0181 652 8912 or to Nicky Clarke on 01342 850215.