Nova Scotia Driver’s licence renewal dependant on psychiatric history

[nanuk]

This is an envasion of Human Rights!!!!!!!

What are your thoughts????????

Chronicle Herald

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1...html#commentos

Mental health advocates think the province should steer clear of asking drivers about their psychiatric history.

"It’s all very strange," Carol Tooton, executive director of the Nova Scotia division of the Canadian Mental Health Association, said in an interview Tuesday. "It’s not the appropriate approach.

"I can’t think of any reason why they’d want to go this route."

Service Nova Scotia now requires people renewing their licences to indicate on an application form if they’ve had a "psychiatric or psychological condition."

People who indicate yes — even if it was something such as a bout of depression — are asked to provide more specific details and then must have a doctor complete a medical, sharing what’s usually confidential information with the government.

"The contents of the medical report will be reviewed by department staff and may be referred to a committee of medical specialists who make recommendations on clients’ medical fitness to safely drive," the province has advised affected people in writing.

The application form also asks those renewing their licences if they have had lung, heart, eye or neurological diseases, a stroke or dementia.

Doctors sometimes charge a fee for the medical and failure to comply with the request could result in drivers losing their licences.

Ms. Tooton wondered why the province would require such sensitive medical information that has little to do with somebody’s ability to operate a vehicle.

"I’ve never heard of this before. It certainly doesn’t help to eliminate the stigma around someone who may have a mental illness.

"If you’ve gone through an episode of depression, for example, probably the last thing you’re going to be thinking about is getting in your car and driving somewhere. You have trouble getting out of bed in the morning."

It’s inappropriate to put people in an awkward position where they’re faced with divulging medical information, she said.

"Traditionally, people have decided on their own whether or not they’re capable of continuing to drive, and sometimes in consultation with a physician."

Paul Arsenault, the provincial registrar of motor vehicles, defended the practice, saying that his department needs to know that information for the sake of public safety.

"If somebody’s severely depressed, they probably shouldn’t be on the road," he said.

Mr. Arsenault said many people who have been treated for mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety are taking prescription medication that could affect their ability to drive.

"We need to know about that," he said. "There’s a very limited number of people who have access to this information.

"We want to know if there’s a history. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to give them a driver’s licence."

Stephen Ayers, the executive director of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, said he was uneasy about the requirement and found it intrusive.

"This is concerning, obviously. It’s required by law for a physician or psychiatrist to notify (the Registry of) Motor Vehicles of a medical condition a person has that would impair their ability to drive."

David Simpson, with the Mental Health Police Records Check Coalition, an Ontario rights advocacy organization, said the practice smacks of discrimination.

"What you always have to be worried about in situations like this is if there is some sort of systemic bias in place or covert discrimination, that they believe because you have a mental illness you’re going to use your vehicle as a weapon to injure people or injure yourself."

He also expressed concern about affected people having to cough up $50 for a doctor to complete a medical.

[Kate]

Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you had anything wrong with you that would impair your driving and thinking while driving, then they need to know. You can't have people out on the road who think they are okay to drive, but really aren't fully aware. Then it'd be okay for drunk people to drive "because they think their fine".

[nanuk]

But aren't people with illness such as depression stigmaized enough in society?? If I am on a medication that should be a discussion between me and my doctor not me and the DMV.
The majority of people on prescribed and monitored meds are functionning individuals in society and more than likely you would never know if they are on mood levelling meds.

So what's next family history for alcoholism???

[caitfoster]

I don't believe in this at all. As many of you know I suffer from Schitzophrenia. I take my medication as perscribed and am offically labled a "High functioning schitzophrenic with disasociative tendencies". I am fully capable of driving, and couldn't drive when I am having an attack even if I wanted to. I have maybe one attack per year now, if not less. That shouldn't have an affect on weither I can drive or not the rest of the time.

Yes, driving is a privilage not a right, but there is too much of a stigma associated with Mental Illness at this point in society. I meet people all the time who think I have multiple personalities because that is how they portray Schitzophrenics in the media. I am not going to devulge information to a biased government about my illness. After all, only 30 and 40 years ago we were giving labotomies and shock treatment to people like me. And though driving is not a right, I as a human being have the right to not be discriminated by the government or community because of an illness.

Why don't we ask people if they are taking Viagra too? That impares driving by causing halusinations. Where will they stop if this is allowed? "You have cancer, your treatments could afftect your ability to drive. YOu are denied". This is a human rights violation. I want to see the proof that mentally ill paitents cause more accidents than other groups that should be targeted. I am sure that convicted felons released from jail and those who have caused accidents through eating/talking on cell phones/speeding will have a much easier time getting their licence renewed than the mentally ill.

And why not target the elderly? They cause many accidents, but no one is demanding mandatory testing every five years to make sure they can still drive. There would be quite the stink about this, deying our vetrans after what they did for us.

Also, who has access to this info? Can the police have it? If they pull you over and see that you checked yes in the box will they have the right to arrest you, even if you were just initally pulled over for a broken tail light?

[swouper2]

I don't like this idea at all. The way it's being implemented singles out a lot of people who are not hazardous on the road. I suffer from seasonal depression, but it is treated, and I am not only a great driver, but a safe pilot as well.

Maybe doctors who treat patients with debilitating conditons can be more proactive about requesting that those people lose their licenses, instead of asking EVERYBODY about their medical history.

I really don't see it as that big of a deal if a doctor has a concern, and contacts the government about it. At that point, they could suspend the license until the issue is resolved and a proper assessment can be made. That would include all debilitating illnesses, and would exclude people who may have illnesses that are not interefering with their ability to drive. For example, there's a big difference between the state of someone being treated for cancer with aggressive Chemo, and my GMIL who gets the odd lump removed because of skin cancer, and has no other treatment than the odd "cut and stitch". (of course, she's also blind, and doesn't drive, so I guess with her, it's a non-issue)

[Sally888]

Honestly in some circumstances I can see it.

Theres a man here who sometimes dresses like a lady and stands on the street corners, other times hes throwing bibles at people, stroking his privates in public etc...
Him and his wife have had 7 kids all taken away at birth....
Anyways he has severe mental issues and now apparently has a license.

Picture and old camaro, with a huge purple gorila attached to the roof, decals all over, including raccoon tails..... and him yelling bible verses at people he drives by.

So yes, in severe cases I can see them not wanting to license some people, but Id have to say only extreme cases.

Look at that lady who drove on the wrong side of the 401 a few years ago.....

I really think they should of implemented it another way though.

[ilovemykids]

Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you had anything wrong with you that would impair your driving and thinking while driving, then they need to know. You can't have people out on the road who think they are okay to drive, but really aren't fully aware. Then it'd be okay for drunk people to drive "because they think their fine".

I have to agree. It is unfortunate but people seem to forget that. It's a pretty serious thing hurdling a 2500 lb projectile down any road. You have to be in tip top shape. Eyes, ears, consciousness unimpaired.

[nanuk]

So where is the question are you now or have you ever attended an AA or NA meeting??

[caitfoster]

People are already finding it difficult to ask for professional help. I let my symptoms go on for months until I broke down because I was scared I would be commited. People aren't going to get help if they feel that they won't be able to drive becasue they saught help for a mental condition.

[Sally888]

So where is the question are you now or have you ever attended an AA or NA meeting??

Its anon. so it wouldn't ever be a question.
A lot of people attend meetings with loved ones etc, and don't have these addictions.

I def think they should be working more to take away crackheads licenses.

Theres a ton of people on very hard drugs that drive everyday.
Few months ago we saw a women pull into Zehrs parking lot smoke meth then drive away.

I tried calling the OPP but our cell phone was dead.

[nanuk]

I thought my medical records were anon or at least between me and my care giver...

All the points here are valid..I am not trying to be devil's advocate but if my doctor and phamicist says I am fine to drive on a medication why should it have to be investigated by the Motor Vehicles??

[Sally888]

Good point Nanuk, I could see if you were taking ones that said dont operate machinery.

What if one were just to lie and click no?

What are the ramifications for that?


Honestly medical records arent as secure as wed like to think, think of how many nurses drs etc can view them, heck I know a girl who use to clean at dr's offices and look through peoples files when she was there, yeah shes a complete loser but it does happen.

[nanuk]

If you are caught llying your license is suspended...I seriuosly don't know how they would find out...don't think they thought that far ahead LOL

[jenna321]

I had to renew my license in May of this year and was asked about any medications I'm on if any- I was taken back and asked why she was asking me that. I was told example losing my eyesite (eye problems) or have a heart condition then restrictions would be placed on my license I then told her that certain medications came with a warning and takes a bit for your system to get used to the prescribed dosage. Well big mistake! I had her paranoid for sure. She was apprehensive on giving me my renewal But I had to assure her I'm fine and Told her to look @ my driving record no accidents nothing . I shut up and said no more. I know when I cannot drive with my medications and I don't. I don't agree also for mental health issues disclosing for our driving privilege, if our psychologist & psychiatrist don't see a issue with driving then it's none of the Government business!

[caitfoster]

[quote=jenna321;464383] I had her paranoid for sure. She was apprehensive on giving me my renewal But I had to assure her I'm fine and Told her to look @ my driving record no accidents nothing .

And that is the problem! DMV workers know nothing about the medications we are on, so they shouldn't have the right to give us grief about them. Do not single out one group of people. If you want medical records devulged ask for it from all people, not just the mentally ill.