Assessing Fitness to Drive — Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers 2003 is a joint publication of Austroads and the National Transport Commission (NTC). It contains nationally agreed medical standards for the purposes of driver licensing. The publication is under review to ensure the standards reflect current medical evidence and best practice, and meet the practical needs of private and commercial vehicle drivers. The review is also considering the useability and clarity of the document, along with inextricably linked administrative issues. This consultation document has been developed to guide feedback regarding the proposed changes to Assessing Fitness to Drive. It covers general issues, followed by a chapter by chapter description of medical changes, then changes that have been made to the appendices. The last section addresses issues out of scope. The draft of the revised Assessing Fitness to Drive is presented for stakeholder feedback. The NTC circulated an initial consultation paper in July 2009 requesting stakeholder feedback on the current version of Assessing Fitness to Drive. The NTC received valuable feedback from a wide range of stakeholders including medical practitioners and other health professionals, consumer health organisations, government transport departments, driver licensing authorities, unions, operators and peak industry bodies. The feedback has been considered by the NTC and the project’s medical consultants in developing the revised document. Further input has also been sought from various medical and allied health experts and transport stakeholders. Findings of an interim review in 2006, accident investigations and recent research have also been considered. Assessing Fitness to Drive has been revised to better focus on functionality (i.e. how the person’s medical condition affects driving), rather than simply diagnosis. This is most apparent in the restructuring of Assessing Fitness to Drive. Some chapters have been consolidated, to emphasise effect on driving, and others deleted, including temporary or rare conditions which do not necessarily impact licensing. Changes to Part A (General considerations) have been made to capture information from deleted chapters. The functionality focus is also reflected in revisions to the medical chapters, including the explanatory text and the licensing criteria. The chapters have also been revised to improve clarity and decision support, including the use of flowcharts and checklists. To reflect current medical knowledge and practice, non-driving periods have been updated, and tests and thresholds have been amended where required. A key consideration in undertaking the review has been the impact of proposed changes for various stakeholders, including Driver Licensing Authorities, health professionals and drivers. These changes and potential impacts are outlined. (Author/publisher)
Abstract