East Yorkshire double motorcyclist death: coroner criticises DVLA for diabetic driver check
A coroner has urged the DVLA to review its process for giving licences after two motorcyclists died in a head-on collision with a diabetic driver.
Michael Midgley and Geoffrey Toase were riding on the A166 in East Yorkshire when they were struck by a car “wholly on the wrong side of the carriageway”. The driver, who was not named in the report, was suffering from low blood sugar and was later deemed unfit to stand trial because of medical issues.
In a previous hearing at Hull Crown Court[1], Judge Mark Bury said while the driver was “responsible” for the crash, “he is not, in fact, legally responsible”[2] for the deaths. The case was discharged from court.
As a result of Type I Diabetes, the driver of the car was required to reapply to the DVLA for a licence every three years. In a recent Prevention of Future Deaths Report, Assistant Coroner for Hull and East Yorkshire Jessica Swift said DVLA checks with applicants’ GPs were “tick box in nature”
She said: “At the time of the collision, the driver of the car was, on the balance of probability, suffering a hypoglycaemic episode which had compromised their ability to drive in an appropriate manner.
“Emergency services attended the collision scene swiftly, but the injuries suffered by both Mr Toase and Mr Midgley were such that nothing could be done to save them and they were both declared deceased at the incident scene.”
Ms Swift questioned why there is no apparent system in place to verify the accuracy of information provided by an applicant within their medical self-declaration. She said their information is “generally accepted by the DVLA without question”.
The information provided by an applicant within their medical self-declaration is no longer sent to their GP by the DVLA alongside any request for further information. This means there isn’t an opportunity for the GP to flag information that may be inaccurate, the report stated.
Ms Swift said in her report that the DVLA Doctor involved in this case gave evidence that they felt “constrained” by the current DVLA guidance, standards and working practices.
All drivers must ensure they are medically fit to drive and notify DVLA of the onset or worsening of a relevant medical condition. Third parties, including doctors and police, can notify the DVLA quickly about diagnosed or suspected health problems.
Concluding her report, Ms Swift said the DVLA should take action to prevent future deaths. It has until October 7 to respond to the report.
A DVLA spokesperson said: “We are carefully considering the Coroner’s recommendations.”
References
- ^ Hull Crown Court (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Judge Mark Bury said while the driver was “responsible” for the crash, “he is not, in fact, legally responsible” (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)