Something to see here: ACT Police referrals for impaired driving due to medical conditions

Abstract

Introduction

Medical conditions may cause driving impairment and preventable motor vehicle collisions. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Police detect potentially medically impaired drivers as part of their duties. ACT Police and medical fitness to drive reviewers sought to determine the accuracy of police suspicion of medically impaired drivers for quality assurance and legislative purposes.

Method

This is a retrospective study of 110 drivers who were referred to the Fitness to Drive Medical Clinic (FTDMC) by ACT Police between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2023 to determine whether changes to driver licences were needed.

Results

Reasons for ACT Police referral were physical, cognitive, mental health and non-acute substance use conditions. All drivers referred to the FTDMC by ACT Police had their licence conditions modified by cancellation, suspension, the imposition of conditions or a requirement to undertake an on-road assessment by an occupational therapist trained to assess drivers.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that ACT Police detection of medically impaired drivers, police triage and referral to the FTDMC is effective. We believe that ACT Police referrals to the FTDMC should result in immediate suspension of a driver's licence prior to review by a medical practitioner experienced in fitness to drive assessments. The ACT Police process must include review by the Sergeant of the Major Collision Team and be supported by appropriate legislation.