Protecting Lives: A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Adherence to Fitness to Drive Policy in Mental Health Setting
Aims: Driving is a complex and rapidly evolving task that requires a high level of skill and the ability to simultaneously interact with both the vehicle and the external environment. Mental illness can impair these abilities, potentially compromising both the driver’s safety and the safety of other...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2025-06-01
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| Series: | BJPsych Open |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472425103906/type/journal_article |
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| Summary: | Aims: Driving is a complex and rapidly evolving task that requires a high level of skill and the ability to simultaneously interact with both the vehicle and the external environment. Mental illness can impair these abilities, potentially compromising both the driver’s safety and the safety of others. While individuals with mental health conditions have a legal obligation to refrain from driving if their condition renders them unfit, healthcare professionals, including doctors, have a crucial role to play. They are responsible for advising patients on the potential impact of their condition on driving ability, their legal duty to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and, in certain circumstances, directly notifying the DVLA on the patient’s behalf. Unfortunately, the driving status of patients is often overlooked during both admission and inpatient stays. There is also a concerning lack of awareness among patients regarding their duty to inform the DVLA and potential driving restrictions. |
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| ISSN: | 2056-4724 |