How do you keep it safe when taking medication?
You don’t want to lose the freedom that the car gives you. But how do you keep it safe when taking medication? Or if there is something physically wrong? Examination doctor Alain Marlisa tells you what you need to know and gives tips.
Medical examiner Alain Marlisa: “Many people worry that they will immediately lose their driving license if something goes wrong. But the intention of the CBR is not to take people’s driving licenses away. The CBR ensures that as many people as possible keep their driving license, within the possibilities and laws that are available. Suppose you get a physical disability, then you can still drive with adjustments in the car. However, the CBR can limit the driving license. For example, someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is given a duration restriction of one to three years, after which a new driving test must be done. It is also possible that a truck driver has to hand in the large driving license, but is still allowed to drive a passenger car. Someone with epilepsy may be allowed to drive, but not as a taxi driver.”
Medicines
“Some drugs can reduce the ability to react. If you get into a car while taking medicines that affect driving ability, you are punishable by law. Because the influence on the responsiveness and thus on the driving ability is different for each medication, it is important that you are aware of the effect of your medication. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist about this. on www.rijveiligmetmedicijnen.nl you can read about the situation per medicine and what the influence of different doses is. You will also find the applicable safety advice for occasional and long-term use of medication. In some cases, a lower dose or a different time of intake may be the solution. Furthermore, many medicines require the body to get used to it. Once that adjustment period is over, you can drive again. So find out immediately what it is like when you get new medicines.”
Declaration of health
“You fill in the Health Declaration if you are not sure whether you are still able to safely participate in traffic. For example, because something has changed in your medical situation, such as after a stroke, heart attack or due to a (new) eye condition. You can fill in online via the website of the CBR. Because it concerns confidential data, you log in with your DigiD. You can also complete the Health Declaration on paper, but keep in mind that paper declarations are processed less quickly. Such a form is available from most municipalities, among others, sometimes there are costs involved. The Health Declaration has replaced the Medical Declaration, the form that you filled in together with your GP. The Medical Statement no longer exists. From the age of 75, everyone who wants to renew their driver’s license must complete the Health Declaration.
75 years and older
“If you want to renew your driving license on or after your 75th birthday, you will be inspected. But first you have to fill in a health declaration yourself and send it to the CBR. The CBR assesses the health statement and then sends you a referral for the medical examiner. If you have a medical condition, the CBR will also send you to one or more specialist(s). In that case you will receive multiple referrals. Always read carefully to whom the CBR refers you, so that you do not make unnecessary appointments. Every visit to a medical examiner or specialist costs money.”
medical examiner
“The medical examiner pays attention to three things: how does, think and see someone. An eye test shows how you see. If you need an aid to walk, that’s clear enough too. To find out how you act and think, the medical examiner enters into a conversation. The responses usually make a lot of sense. Is the answer logical or a little confused? Can you tell us something about your daily life? Do you look well-groomed? Do you have all the papers neatly with you or is it a mess? Someone who has Alzheimer’s disease but does not yet realize it, or does not want to know, will not say anything about it during the examination. There are various criteria for the medical examiner to determine whether someone may be suffering from Alzheimer’s. A well-known example is having a clock drawn with a specific time. If someone can’t manage that, you ask further. Such findings will be included in the inspection report, after which the CBR will refer to a neurologist.”
Specialist
“If the medical examiner writes down something in the report that raises questions, the CBR will refer you to a specialist for further investigation. It is also possible that someone completes a health declaration because of a change in the medical situation. In such a case, you usually do not need to see a medical examiner, but the CBR will immediately send you to, for example, a neurologist or cardiologist. This may be your own specialist, unless the CBR refers you to an independent specialist. You pay for the visit to the specialist yourself.”
Modifications
“If you have a physical disability, you can still drive. There are numerous tools that make this possible. For example, if you have a movement restriction in the neck, there are special mirrors that give you a good view. Adjustments are possible for the driver’s seat, as are the poker, steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals. on www.autoaanpassers.nl are companies that specialize in modifying cars. These companies can help with questions about fees and the laws and regulations. You will also find companies that provide driving lessons in a modified car.”
Alzheimer’s
“Someone who has Alzheimer’s disease but does not yet realize it or does not want to know, will not say anything about it during the examination. There are various criteria for the medical examiner to determine whether someone may be suffering from Alzheimer’s. A well-known example is having a clock drawn with a specific time. If someone can’t manage that, you ask further. Such findings will be included in the inspection report, after which the CBR will refer to a neurologist.”
General practitioner
“Some people want to go to their own GP for a medical certificate. Legally this is allowed, but the National Association of General Practitioners advises general practitioners to refer the patient to another doctor. This has to do with medical professional secrecy. Suppose: someone has diabetes but does not want the GP to state this condition on the medical certificate. At that moment a difficult situation arises. Due to medical professional secrecy, the general practitioner must grant this request, while being aware of the patient’s medical condition. From a legal point of view, the patient is also not obliged to report everything. Morally speaking, however, he is responsible. Judges do not judge mildly if someone knowingly conceals a medical condition and causes an accident as a result of that condition.”
Driver’s license expired?
Until June 1, 2021, people over 75 may temporarily continue to drive with an expired driving license, due to backlogs at the CBR. Everyone to whom this applies will receive a personal message from the CBR. Knowing more? View on www.cbr.nl and search for ‘driver’s license expired’.
Alain Marlisa is a medical examiner associated with VoorKeur Driving License and Medical Inspections.
This article previously appeared in Plus Magazine in May 2021. Want to subscribe to the magazine? You can do that in an instant!
