Drivers License and blood tests

Hi Folks,

                I am new to this forum as an oldy of 78.

And being 78 I now have to undergo the intrusion of a doctors examination every year.

Since I have been very fortunate, I have never had to go to a GP in all of my life so these visits are anaethema to me and unpleasant.

Up until now I have been only subjected to a pressure test.

 which I also find difficult to deal with.

However this year (week ago) I was commanded to have a blood test by the patronising doctor who said that if I did not do it then she would not sign off on my drivers medical form as she was looking after my health.

Having my arm punctured and blood extracted is not my idea of keeping up my health. How many people finish up with infections!!!

Can she demand these blood tests and am I being uneasonable??

 

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Hi Robi,

                "Personally I think that if the blood test is not a compulsory aspect of determining one's fitness to drive then your doctor is being unfairly coercive by refusing to sign off on your fitness form without a blood test. I can understand why you feel irked by that demand and suggest you see another doctor. If it is not compulsory you should not be forced by any doctor to have one against your will"

Your observations are in concert with mine,.   But as a GP with the power to cancel your drivers licence they have total control over you. This is the aspect of the who process that gets right up my nose.

If the GP thinks you cannot drive (for what ever small reason) then a simple email to the RMS is all it takes to have your licence canceled!!! Think about it..............  

GPs should not have this  determinative power.

An interesting question you pose Viv

" does the differences in driving licence laws mean that someone considered safe to drive in WA won't be allowed to drive in other States with different laws, doesn't apply to me but could apply to someone over 75 from WA. Normally people from other States their full licences are accepted whilst on holiday."

Wonder if any of the WA members know the answer to this dillema ?

I do have friends who go over to NSW 2 or 3 times a year and hire a car so they should know he is 82 and she must be 77 they would have to show their license to hire cars. They are caravan ing down south at the moment so I will ask them when they get back.

OMG Vivity,   

82 and 77  years old,  and they are driving in N S W without medical checks and blood tests!!!!!! how dangerous can that be????

Don't get too excited Nimbus I happen to know they have regular blood tests, but I don't think they have NSW licences so am interested as to why and if the same checks don't apply when driving in NSW on WA Licences. 

Wonder how the Insurance company would view it if you were in an accident ??

If you are hiring a car interstate Abby you have to show your licence and the Hire Company cost covers the Insurance plus you pay the excess or pay an extra to the hire company so you don't have to pay that so the Hire firm accepts that cover. 

If a WA insured car it would depend on what your own insurance cover says surely. I must say I checked with my insurance company once on cover on Specific covered items outside of the home and was stunned to find that cover applied to WA, SA and NZ but not to any of the Eastern States. Wonder if the same applies to car insurance? 

The point is Viv that it would seem all states have differing requirements with N S W being the more onerous. To check all drivers that cross State borders on holiday or business in this country on a daily basis would be impossible.  As you say what we really need is a federal standard based on self assesment as exists in the US and UK. In Vic. I believe that if you are involved in a serious accident and are over 80 then the trafic dept can request a medical asseement.

After trying to avoid two oldies today, who are accidents waiting to happen, I am pushing for compulsory  medical checks for all seniors from age 70.

They have both been reported by myself and other drivers.

What about the younger drivers that drive like lunatics -- Reagan  -- just because you come across a couple of oldies doesn't mean to say they are ALL bad

Which state are you in Reagan ???

How do you know the age of what you say two oldies ???

Were they both driving the same car or were these separate incidents ??

How do you know these so called oldies were reported also by other drivers ???

Perhaps some drivers should have compulsory anger management.

Lots of bad drivers in my town. 

Image result for chicken driving car

It is so typical of people like you reagan so up yourselves that you  assume that the road belongs to you.

Try thinking of some one else for a change and remember the world you exist in was built by the oldies.

"Perhaps some drivers should have compulsory anger management."

   Is  there a blood test for that???#^!!

It is only to common for impatient and/or agressive  drivers to instantly blame the "silly old bugger" in front.   To wit Abby's observations above.

Elderly drivers are just as dangerous as young "hoons" who have a tendency to speed and take other risks behind the wheel, an expert on older people's health says.

Geriatrician David Lussier said research suggested older drivers were causing as many car accidents as young reckless drivers because of their deteriorating cognitive and physical abilities and likelihood to be on multiple medications.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/elderly-drivers-as-dangerous-as-young-hoons-says-geriatrician-20150503-1myys4.html

Don't think those driving mobility scooters are exempt. Some think they own the shopping centres and pavements. We're going after them too!

Do you think that perhaps euthenasia would be the solution.

                 After all if we remove every one over 70 we would allso reduce the housing problem as well as remitting the roads to the ones who belive they own them.

nimbus, I'm an "oldie" too, I'm 70.

I'm still going after the hoons, young and old.

There are good and bad in all -- so thats why I say ensure the DRIVER NOT THE AGE

Agree PlanB, I'm sure  you're a good driver and you said previously you have regular checkups. Wish everyone was like you.

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