Assessing fitness to drive: part 2

Aust Fam Physician. 2005 Jun;34(6):475-7.

Abstract

Background: The requirement for general practitioners to write reports about their patients' fitness to drive will increase as the population ages and licensing criteria change. It is important that GPs understand the medical and legal issues involved in this important area of public health.

Objective: This is the second of a two part article discussing the guidelines for fitness to drive in Australia and how they are applied to specific medical conditions.

Discussion: Visual functioning, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, acute medical illnesses and chronic disorders, and driving with disabilities are discussed. Information on exceptions from wearing seatbelts and cycle helmets is provided as well as a discussion on disability assessment for privileged parking.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology
  • Australia
  • Automobile Driving* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Family Practice / methods*
  • Family Practice / standards
  • Head Protective Devices
  • Humans
  • Licensure* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Seat Belts / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Vision Disorders / diagnosis
  • Vision Tests