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AIBU?

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Original poster

To report FIL to the DVLA

67 replies

FruitCider · 30/07/2018 10:29

Background...

My father in law is 71, and lives about 15 minutes away in a rural village.

10 years ago he was diagnosed with Ménière's disease, which he has not declared to the DVLA.

5 years ago he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, he takes metformin and gliclizide and ignores DVLA advice re texting blood sugars before car journeys

2 weeks ago he started losing sensation in his right foot, he will not go to the doctors about this despite the fact that it may be linked to his diabetes.

On Saturday evening he gave me a lift to another village 15 minutes away and I was terrified. We nearly clipped the curbs going round bends on several occasions, he was braking v heavily and was very heavy on the accelerator, he was doing 22mph in a 30 zone and 33mph in 40 zones, causing a tail back of at least 20 cars.

I tried to speak to my partner yesterday and suggested his dad needed to give up his driving license, but DP would not have any of it.

AIBU to consider writing to the DVLA about my FIL undeclared medical history in the hope of having his license revoked? I would do this and ask the DVLA not to disclose it was me that contacted them. I really feel he is not safe to be on the roads... I love him dearly but I worry about him hitting the curb and running over a pedestrian or rolling his car and killing himself!!!

OP posts:
lindalee3 · 30/07/2018 10:33

Report him if you feel you need to, but I think it will come out that it was you.

Obvious if you have already spoke to your OH about it.

It's very hard to get older people to understand that their driving is dreadful. Sometimes a 'higher force' needs to intervene.

Blackteadrinker77 · 30/07/2018 10:34

Did he fill out his D46P?

lindalee3 · 30/07/2018 10:34

I mean not ALL older people are dreadful drivers, I mean it's hard to get older people whose driving IS awful, to accept that their driving is dreadful..

user1471530109 · 30/07/2018 10:36

I don't know about the fist condition you've mentioned, but you only need to inform DVLA of diabetes if you are on insulin.

Redrunbluerun · 30/07/2018 10:36

You can report anonymously, I’ve just done it.
Let the dvla decide if he is fit, they’re the professionals.
I recently heard a heart breaking interview on radio 2, from the sister of a woman mowed down by an elderly driver 1 month before her wedding day. It turns out the man couldn’t see more than a metre ahead of him and never reported it.
Report him please, make our roads safer.

MurielsBottom · 30/07/2018 10:38

Tricky - but from what you have written about his actual driving it sounds pretty normal. You say he nearly clipped the kerb (But didn't), drove at a little under the speed limit (also ok).

Actually my concern would be his health and rather than getting his licence revoked you and your partner should be making sure he gets medical treatment asap. Can you not sit down with him and have a proper conversation?

I do know it is illegal to not inform the DVLA of some illnesses such as a diagnosis of Meniere's disease. Are you sure he hasn't already been assessed?

In regards to the Diabetes, it is very rare for T2 to have a blood testing kit unless they have purchased one themselves. Has he got a kit? Does he know how to use it?

CluedoAddict · 30/07/2018 10:38

We did the same with my Grandad. It's a hard decision to make but it's for everyone's sake. You can do it anonymously.

glitterbiscuits · 30/07/2018 10:40

Yes please report. It's for the greater good.

Original poster
FruitCider · 30/07/2018 10:45

Tricky - but from what you have written about his actual driving it sounds pretty normal. You say he nearly clipped the kerb (But didn't), drove at a little under the speed limit (also ok).

The lack of control over the pedals, coming millimetres away from rolling your car and driving 30% under the speed limit is not what I would class as normal driving!

OP posts:
Kewcumber · 30/07/2018 10:47

Type 2 diabetes is not going to get him barred frmo driving (or at least a non-insulin dependent one) and I don;t know single T2 diabeticc who tests their blood sugars before driving and I know lots!

I have no idea about Meunieres but a quick google reveals this...

In an accident
If you do not inform the DVLA and your insurance company of your condition and you are subsequently involved in an accident you risk facing two charges;

You are obliged by law to inform them of your condition. It is an offence not to do so.
If you have not informed them of your medical condition and you are involved in an accident, there is likely to be a presumption of fault on your part. You will then face the difficulty of proving that you didn’t have a vertigo attack or were not under the influence of drugs prior to the accident.
It is also likely in these circumstances that your insurance company would declare your insurance invalid on the grounds that they were unaware of your illness. Virtually all policies contain a clause requiring you to inform your insurers of any relevant medical conditions or impairments which might affect their risk. You would then be held personally responsible for all claims arising from the accident, including third parties’ as well as your own costs.

To be honest he just sounds like a crap driver rather than it being becasue of his health issues so I think focussing on the health issues won;t have the effect you want.

But yes the loss of sensation in his foot is quite likely diabetes related - will he go to GP if you point out he could lose his foot if he doesn;t take it seriously?

Original poster
FruitCider · 30/07/2018 10:47

He definitely has not reported the Ménière's. I told him it was illegal not to do so when he was first diagnosed and he ignored me.

He's at risk of hypos so has been told to inform the DVLA about his diabetes, he has chosen not to.

His blood sugars are really unstable so my inkling is that the loss of feeling in his food is connected to diabetic neuropathy.

OP posts:
Original poster
FruitCider · 30/07/2018 10:50

Did he fill out his D46P?

Yes but he did not declare his medical conditions on it! I was hoping he would and they would remove his license at that point but he lied on the form Confused

OP posts:
PurpleWithRed · 30/07/2018 10:51

I did this for FIL. He doesn't know it was me, nor do his very relieved and grateful family. It's horrible for him but he was retested and had his licence revoked as he was no longer capable of driving safely.

Redrunbluerun · 30/07/2018 10:52

It’s a no brainer. Report and let the dvla decide if it’s serious enough if not. Let the dvla decide whether he’s a good enough driver or not.

It is hard, I’ve reported my DHs Grandad (he’s a shocking driver but no one had the balls to do it). They didn’t want to upset him. Rather him getting a bit upset than the grief of losing a child in a preventable accident.

MereDintofPandiculation · 30/07/2018 10:57

It's very hard to get older people to understand that their driving is dreadful. It's very hard to get anyone of any age to understand that their driving is dreadful. Older people aren't any different in this respect.

smokeybaconcrisps · 30/07/2018 10:59

I just came across this post on Facebook after reading yours same kind of scenario.

Probably should report him to avoid things like this happening.

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156407594352165&id=689882164

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 30/07/2018 10:59

I think you have to. You will never forgive yourself if he kills someone (or himself) because he is unsafe.

user1471456357 · 30/07/2018 11:07

I’m considering reporting someone, well actually more than one, what actually happens if you do report to DVLA?

NorthernSpirit · 30/07/2018 11:10

Report him. If he badly injures or kills someone and you’ll regret it.

Dashie · 30/07/2018 11:19

Please report. It can be done anonymously and then the DVLA will decide whether to take it further and, ultimately, if he is safe to drive. If in fact he is safe, he will be allowed to keep his license and you won’t be constantly worried.

Put yourself in the scenario of him or someone innocent being killed. Although he is the one taking the responsibility of driving, once you suspect he may be dangerous it is your responsibility to act on this.

It’s a difficult situation but I think you know what to do.

HowIWishYouWereHere · 30/07/2018 11:22

I know someone a bit like this. I would report him. I would have reported the person I know too, but someone else beat me to it. He was asked to go to a test centre and take another driving test, but he couldn’t have managed the drive to the test centre so just gave up his license instead.

CanineEnigma · 30/07/2018 11:25

he could lose his foot - not just his foot, he'd likely lose the whole leg below the knee (more comfortable to walk on a prosthetic from the knee) and have a year survival rate of 85% as a result of losing his leg.

I'd report too. Driving is too big a responsibility to not be careful about that sort of thing.

specialsubject · 30/07/2018 11:25

report and risk the fallout, better than the murder he is going to commit sooner or later. He is knowingly breaking the law and driving while unfit.

he is also a bloody awful driver with no awareness or anticipation, and the person who thinks this is 'normal' needs some lessons NOW.

CanineEnigma · 30/07/2018 11:25

sorry a 5 year survival rate! Can't believe I mistyped that Blush

Treesaw · 30/07/2018 11:25

I absolutely would report this. This sounds very unsafe to me and theres no point waiting for an accident to occur before you report, the warning signs are there.

And if the dvla feel there’s no issue (like some previous posters imply) then he’ll keep his license won’t he.

Do it OP

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