Husband of cyclist killed by epileptic nun calls for tougher licensing of older drivers

the doctor is already required to inform the DVLA at the time of diagnosis, as is the driver.

"make the doctor liable for not informing the DVLA"

YES. That.

Of course, it's not entirely clear to the doctor what the DVLA will do about it. but that's another thing.

dear oh dear oh dear, bloody nuns who suffer from epilepsy should NOT be on the roads for heaven's sake, especially old ones ...

Just a bit of side info to this - my wife was diagnosed with epilepsy a few years ago although fortunately not the type that generally causes ‘Grand Mal’ seizures, loss of consciousness, control or mental absences. It took nearly a year to get a full diagnosis during which she drove for a while until advised against by a consultant. She was passed from pillar to post until someone recognised the particular symptoms and investigated them properly.

Epilepsy manifests itself in multiple ways and degrees of severity depending on which part of the brain is affected amongst other things however regardless of severity you are required to surrender your driving licence for at least 12 months and your GP / consultant is required to inform the DVLA. If you go on medication to control the seizures and go for 12 months without any recurrence you can apply for your licence back with your Doctor’s validation.

You’ll then need to re-apply for your licence every 5 years after - however there are no checks at this point, you effectively certify yourself– and neither is there anything to stop you stopping or forgetting your own meds at any time. Whether that’s right or not is open to debate but apart from the practicality of administering a more regular and complete check it’s the risk you have for trusting people to be responsible for their own actions.

fearful of the potential isolation and lack of independence they may suffer if they have to give up their car,

FML, anyone would think we don't have a public transport system in this country.

Millions of old people use public transport, the rest just have entitlement issues.

The generation who are Facebook addicted will not likely fear isolation when they get old.

The answer to this is to make the doctor liable for not informing the DVLA, if the gp risks being sued they might actually do what they are supposed in the first place.

Perhaps they ought to Blade Runner style tests.

Unfortunately there is little incentive for the elderly to take these tests. If they pass, then fine, they carry on as normal. If they don't they have their quality of life diminished. The incentive for some is to carry on driving regardless of a valid license. Sadly these people are the most vulnerable, being less able to cycle, run or walk to make up for any immobility. It's sad and an unfortunate truth.

I'm not sure why the person is calling for tougher regulation of older drivers either when it was the epilepsy that caused the collision it seems.

I know of a young person who had a collision due to this very reason, age has nothing to do with it.

Should be like that here too- some of the most thoughtless maneuvers that I've seen have been from the elderly.