Medical related Road Traffic Collisions (FOI)

Request

A

Can you confirm the number of Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) in Jersey in the last three years that have been caused by a medical matter, or the suspected cause of the RTC was a medical matter, or similar?

B

Of the RTC's which were put down to a medical matter, how many of those were directly related to drivers who are insulin dependent? Of those (if any) how many had diabetes of any type?

C

What procedures / examinations must drivers who are insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics) go through in order to obtain a driving licence, of any category?

D

What law / statute prevents those who are insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics) from holding a licence bigger than a standard B, B1 category?

E

What vehicle categories are those who are insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics) eligible to hold?

F

I am aware that those who are insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics) are unable to get a licence category for a HGV and/or similar/other categories, WHY?

G

Can a vehicle of a category B (3.5 Tons) not be just as dangerous as a MGV or HGV? - is it not down to the standard of driving, how the driver looks after themselves, doctors certificate, etc that dictates the dangers posed by a vehicle? why is it restricted for who are insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics) to hold these other categories as mentioned in the previous question?

H

In the UK, in 2011 those who are insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics) were no longer discriminated against and were eligible to hold a licence for a HGV and/or similar. Why has Jersey not followed suit? I know someone who is insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics), and they feel discriminated against because of these restrictions?

I

Is there any anticipated/scheduled discussions between the states/ministers to change the motoring laws to allow those who are insulin dependent (particularly Type 1 diabetics) to be eligible to hold a HGV or similar category of licence?

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Response

A

Please see table below detailing the number of RTC’s where a medical matter may have been a contributory factor.

B

Please see table above detailing the number of RTC’s where the driver was diagnosed with diabetes.

C

There are no special procedures / examinations that a diabetic person must undertake in order to obtain a licence, unless the application is for a category C or D licence. For category C and D licences a Medical Report form (D3) must be submitted with the application in order to confirm how an individual’s diabetes is managed.

D

The Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) (Jersey) Order 2003 Article 25(3)(b). Disqualifying diseases and physical disabilities – before grant of licence, in respect of an application for a licence to drive a category C or D vehicle are:

(b) diabetes requiring insulin treatment.

E 

Insulin dependent individuals are permitted to hold all categories of licence, except for C and D.

F 

The Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) (Jersey) Order 2003 Article 25(3)(b) disqualifies insulin dependent individuals to hold a licence.

G

Driving and Vehicle Standards do not hold accident statistics in relation to the implied dangers of driving a 3.5 Ton category B vehicle verses a category C MGV or HGV.

H
The relevant Jersey legislation is currently under review, with the intention of including the amendments introduced in the UK in 2011 as well as subsequent revisions in 2013 and 2017, which cover medical requirements for fitness to drive.

Ministerial Decision number MD-T-2019-0002 was signed by the Minister for Infrastructure on the 11 January 2019. The purpose of this decision is to progress the necessary legislative work to bring Jersey’s Laws in line with the UK. This will give those drivers who control diabetes through insulin injections the ability to hold a licence in either category C and / or D.

I

Please see response to question H above.