A lady who owns fields across from me can barely walk due to MS/athritis.
If we meet on the bend approaching my house she never attempts to stop or slow but expects me or my dear wife to disappear over the hedge.
On seeing her walking this morning with two walking sticks, each step no more than a few inches, it seems clear to me that she is a danger on the roads whilst driving an un-adapted car. If she had to make an emergency stop, she simply could not do it.
We are told to shop drunk-drivers who may not be able to control their vehicles but what about folks such as this lady? Surely she could be just as dangerous. I am told she is also taking very strong pain-killers. Could they impair her reactions too? of course.
I remember about five years ago she applied for planning permission to build a special bungalow for a disabled person and produced a letter from her GP which said she would soon be in a wheelchair due to her disability. Yet she is still driving an un-adapted car. To shop or not to shop, that is the question. Might save a life!
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You would not think twice if she was a drinker.
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Alwyn
Precisely the point that I have made on here several times.
Most people pass their test in their teens, their health is next taken into consideration when they are 70, unless their doctor tells them to stop driving.
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Approaching her directly would be the kindest move.
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Difficult one Alwyn.
I see where John W is coming from but I would also say that approaching her directly could create much bad feeling and even retaliation from her.
I do think you should do something - What if someone accidentally stepped out in front of her car or pulled out in front of her? It may only be luck that has prevented her having an accident to date. I am not sure who you would or should "shop" her to but I think a kindly word from her doctor or perhaps the Police may make her see sense. She may well be underestimating how bad the effects of her MS are (and understandably so as well from her point of view).
If it was done very carefully and tactfully it may not cause resentment and bad feeling but if her driving ability is being affected to the point she is not safe on the roads (to be decided by her doc of course) then the day she runs over will be a date too late for it to be discovered.
Best of luck sorting it - post back with your decision?
Take care
Dan
and then when it does end up resorting to her being contacted by someone from the authorities she might completely reject this or delay the
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Can you discretely find out who her GP is and mention it?
Is there someone (nosey dogooder type) who could be put on the case on your behalf?
Otherwise you may have to keep stum and hope your consience doensn't get a kicking later 'cos getting the rozzers involved is gonna hit an old lady in the final years of her life *very* hard.
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Alwyn
Tricky one this. My father decided not to say anything about an elderly friend who admitted in confidence to having very occasional fleeting blackouts while driving but never to the point of leaving the road. This followed a brain artery operation after which he had been stopped from driving until his doctor agreed it would be OK to resume. My father felt that since the gentleman concerned lived in an isolated part of Scotland with no alternative to his own transport, it was best to just to advise him to be careful. In the event, nothing untoward has arisen.
If you want to take it further, the following is intended for drivers to confess their own conditions but may be able to advise.
Drivers Medical Unit
DVLA,
Swansea,
SA991TU
or phone: 0870 600 0301 (Monday to Friday, 08:15 -16:30)
David
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Should have pointed out the list of relevant medical conditions is on
www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dmed1.htm
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Thanks David,
That is useful and it is a difficult decision to make. Do I think of her getting hurt, as it has obviously not occurred to her, or do I think of others who may be damaged or worse by her selfishness?
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Lifes a bummer but go to it Alwyn.
Writer a letter to DVLC in confidence about your concerns. They have the facility to order a medical enquiry to see if the person is fit to drive and may already have a Doctors Certificate that she is.
Your concern shows that this is not just a triffling thing and by taking action you just might save not only an innocent person life but hers as well.
Now depends on you consience.
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"Your concern shows that this is not just a triffling thing and by taking action you just might save not only an innocent person life but hers as well."
True, but ruining the lady with MS's life is not to be taken lightly either! ...And there's always the possibility that this lady won't crash and if she does won't damage anyone elses property/harm anyone...
I don't envy Allwyn this problem. I'd be looking for a morally acceptable way to avoid it at all costs.
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I don't think Alwyn is looking to ruin this ladys life, only to steer her towards an adapted car which she can perhaps handle better?
If you need to think twice about it, consider my old next door neighbour. She was quietly doing her shopping when an old dear lost control of her car while parking, and flattened my neighbour into a wall. The result has been 6 years of physical pain and extremely restricted walking with a pair of sticks for the neighbour.
The lady who hit her was absolutely devastated and my neighbour's quality of life ruined.
If you can do something to avoid this, it's better not only for the poor person on the wrong end of the car, it'll save whoever is behind the wheel a great deal of heartache too.
Alwyn, don't hesitate.
Lee.
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Tough call, but the fact that you've posted shows you are about to do something. I've no inspiration, but I like DVD's idea of quietly alerting the authorities. By so doing you have discharged your responsibilities as a concerned citizen.
Good luck.
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I think you have to take into account the ladys present attitude when moralising over this dilemna. She must be aware of her limitations and looks to have dismissed the potential dangers or just not recognised them. Her GP may have advised her to continue for all we know, but may be unaware him/her self. Best to report your concerns to the appropriate authorities and let them judge. How would you feel if you did nothing and the worst happened?
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Phil,
That's my concern. The corner I mentioned is also a playground for
three kids who live next door (300 yards away).
They have a cute but stupid habit of placing bricks in the road and making a wooden ramp to run their cycles over, right on the corner. They are hidden from view by hedges.
If this lady comes upon them, how is she going to stop in time? I have spoken with their parents but they just gaze and probably think, "What's it got to do with you":
I guess we can only interfere so much in other folks lives, even if we think they are being stupid.
The MS lady has already knocked down a length of engineering brick wall. She said she had a blow-out. That was a few years ago and she has not improved.
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If you do alert the appropriate authorities it is possible (as mentioned elsewhere) that she may be able to drive a suitably adapted car appropriate to her needs.
Motability are precisely set up to do this and could enable the woman to have a better quality of life in a car that she is capable of controlling.
Allowing someone to continue driving when they appear unfit to do so can only endanger you and every other road user.
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Alwyn,
I understand the dilemma, it is rather like taking affirmative action with a family member who is elderly and perhaps refuses to accept that their faculties are severely degraded. The problem is to achieve the objective in a sympathetic way. Perhaps a visit to the community surgery and an initial chat with your GP might be the way forward.
In my view, the alternative of the police is overkill, as they, with their social service colleagues, are likely to overreact to comply with their mandate.
Putting the modifications in place in her car will neatly avoid putting her and the public at greater risk, whilst still allowing her the mobility she needs. Hopefully doctor diplomacy and their wider links in the community will subtlely resolve this.
Regards,
Julian
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