Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Drivers with Medical Conditions
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Old 07-27-2014, 08:42 AM
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Default Drivers with Medical Conditions

There have recently been some threads about accidents or near-accidents which have most likely been caused by drivers with medical conditions.

I was under the false impression that once someone got their license, they could keep it as long as they kept renewing it. In Florida, there are procedures that can be implemented by family, a doctor, or a friend of a person who knows their medical history that can get a review of that person's driving license.

I am copying from the State of Florida information: It is in the Q&A format:

"I am very concerned about an elderly family member's ability to drive safely. He lives alone in Florida and we live in another state. We have received numerous calls from concerned neighbors advising us of near accidents when he's been driving. Who can help us?"

The Division of Motorist Services is very interested in your concern. Any physician, person or agency who knows of any licensed driver's or applicant's mental or physical disability to drive or need to obtain or to wear a medical identification bracelet is authorized to report this to the DHSMV. The report should be made in writing giving the full name, date of birth, address and a description of the alleged physical or mental disability of any person over 15 years of age that could affect the driving ability. See more detailed information on the Medical Conditions & Driver Safety brochure.

Form #72190 may be used to report these concerns. These reports are confidential and shall be used only to determine the qualifications of the individual to operate a motor vehicle on Florida's highways. No civil or criminal action may be brought against any physician, person or agency for providing this information.

This should be kept in mind for future use if we see any friends who probably should not be driving anymore. It may save lives.