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Original poster

Should I report my colleague for this?

272 replies

ZZTopp · 22/12/2022 13:55

My colleague had some kind of seizure about a month ago. She lost consciousness whilst out walking. She was upset and confused when she regained consciousness and was taken to A & E.

She spent a few days in hospital having tests, luckily everything appeared normal. She was told at the hospital she cannot drive for the foreseeable future.

She has been getting a lift to and from work, but I saw her one evening by coincidence driving from the shops.

I asked her the next day in work how she was finding not driving to see if she would admit driving but she just said it’s ‘quite difficult’. I then said I had seen her and she admitted she had driven to the shops. She then said she didn’t tell me because she feels judged. She said the doctors have found nothing wrong with her and she feels well. I said well I think the doctors know best and she replied with, ‘the doctors can only base their decisions and diagnosis on information and test results- my test results are normal and I know how I feel’.

should I report her to the DVLA / police / manager at work?

OP posts:
BirmaBrite · 23/12/2022 20:37

I would be suprised if they had said ' just drive short distances or popping to the shops is fine' because that isn't how it works, you are either deemed safe and allowed to drive or you aren't. Has she said that she wasn't advised by the Doctors not to drive ? Did she decide not to drive for a couple of weeks because she was a bit shaken up by what had happened ?
Insurance works both ways, if she had an accident that wasn't her fault, someone rear ended her, that type of thing, her insurance would still be invalid and she would lose out financially in that situation, and have the nightmare of having driving without insurance points on her driving licence.

EssexLibra · 23/12/2022 21:11

One of my oldest friends had been talking about retirement plans, spending time with her Granddaughter when a driver, who had been warned, had an epileptic seizure at the wheel, collided with her and her partner out walking the dog on the pavement three years ago last Saturday. He and the dog were injured. She died at the scene. I'd speak to her, no-one else.

Willowswood · 23/12/2022 21:24

EssexLibra · 23/12/2022 21:11

One of my oldest friends had been talking about retirement plans, spending time with her Granddaughter when a driver, who had been warned, had an epileptic seizure at the wheel, collided with her and her partner out walking the dog on the pavement three years ago last Saturday. He and the dog were injured. She died at the scene. I'd speak to her, no-one else.

Maybe read the whole thread?

gimmepeaceandsky · 23/12/2022 21:25

This reply has been deleted

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Goingforarun · 23/12/2022 21:25

You have made a massive error which hopefully you will come to regret. You are not her doctor, you were not there in the consultation room. You need to find a way to put this right.

Boomboom22 · 23/12/2022 21:30

Or maybe she's just pissed off she's now going to have her license revoked?

Supergirl1958 · 23/12/2022 21:35

pocketvenuss · 23/12/2022 20:30

@Supergirl1958 when is it interfering in other people's business and when is it being a responsible citizen. Obviously neglected children next door? Leave or report? Screaming woman and thumping? Leave or report? Person who had a seizure and told you they weren't allowed to drive caught driving? Leave or report?

Get a grip! We only know the OPs side!

we know the OP has a disabled daughter and if it was as serious as expected then surely
to god the doctor would have contacted the DVLA themselves? They did with my sister who was on anti psychotic drugs!!

Give me a break, I’m not the one who is interfering in someone else’s life!!

Red7EC · 23/12/2022 21:35

Agree

Red7EC · 23/12/2022 21:35

Agree

Mumkins42 · 23/12/2022 21:37

This reply has been deleted

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This... and then some

Supergirl1958 · 23/12/2022 21:37

Supergirl1958 · 23/12/2022 21:35

Get a grip! We only know the OPs side!

we know the OP has a disabled daughter and if it was as serious as expected then surely
to god the doctor would have contacted the DVLA themselves? They did with my sister who was on anti psychotic drugs!!

Give me a break, I’m not the one who is interfering in someone else’s life!!

Show quote history

Sorry the subject of the OP

Poinsettas · 23/12/2022 21:42

Goingforarun · 23/12/2022 21:25

You have made a massive error which hopefully you will come to regret. You are not her doctor, you were not there in the consultation room. You need to find a way to put this right.

From the scant details you’ve provided here and your actual knowledge of her medical situation, I 100% agree with this^.

JustAnotherManicMomday · 23/12/2022 21:47

Telling her not to drive could be as she may have epilepsy. With over 126 types they cannot always tell or know the triggers. She endangers herself and others driving.

MamaFirst · 23/12/2022 22:09

This reply has been deleted

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Carol44 · 23/12/2022 22:15

Something very similar happened to me, I was told not to drive and notify the DVLA. my licence was taken away for 6 months and I had to apply to get it back.
If she is driving after being told not to her insurance is not valid either! Report her.

Poinsettas · 23/12/2022 22:28

Would be interested to see stats on the number of road traffic accidents from drivers having spontaneous seizures and killing people (virtually none at a guess) vs those of drunk, speeding, dangerous driving etc. Wonder how many people have reported the latter that they see everyday.

Apparently though you’re only a morally corrupt twat and self serving parrot if you report hearsay and not something you’ve directly witnessed and evidenced. Sound logic - if you’ve been on the Christmas booze.

MamaFirst · 23/12/2022 23:06

Poinsettas · 23/12/2022 22:28

Would be interested to see stats on the number of road traffic accidents from drivers having spontaneous seizures and killing people (virtually none at a guess) vs those of drunk, speeding, dangerous driving etc. Wonder how many people have reported the latter that they see everyday.

Apparently though you’re only a morally corrupt twat and self serving parrot if you report hearsay and not something you’ve directly witnessed and evidenced. Sound logic - if you’ve been on the Christmas booze.

That's irrelevant and reaching. Htf would you know what I report and ignore? What a stupid comment.

Judijudi · 23/12/2022 23:09

From DVLA
’You’ve had your first-ever seizure while awake and lost consciousness
Your licence will be taken away. You can reapply when both the following are true:

you haven’t had a seizure for 6 months
DVLA’s medical advisers decide there isn’t a high risk you’ll have another seizure
Medical advisers will base their decision on information you and your doctors send them. If they need to carry out an investigation they’ll let you know.

Otherwise you can reapply after a year.’

Notjustanymum · 23/12/2022 23:52

@MamaFirst, you don’t know the circumstances, but have called BS on my statement, which was made after doing some basic research and with prior knowledge of how identifiable conditions are reported to the DVLA (close family member experience). Now the OP is admitting that she’s overstepped and is embarrassed.
Basically, if the Doctor has NOT directed the OP’s colleague to contact the DVLA, then they can only advise her not to drive - so by driving, she’s not breaking any laws…

MamaFirst · 24/12/2022 00:19

Just wrote a whole reply out and it got deleted 🤦‍♀️

Basically, I'm not engaging anymore after this. I've explained several times and been repeatedly ignored - you are responsible for your own license not the doctor. This can easily be confirmed with a simple Google search 'am I still obligated to inform dvla of medical condition if doctor doesn't report'. A doctor can report without consent if they discover a patient to continue driving, but you are responsible and duty bound to report on your own license. Read the DVLA info. Educate yourself. Ignorance does not excuse you from being fined and charged if you drive illegally.

Merry Christmas

girlmom21 · 24/12/2022 00:41

MamaFirst · 24/12/2022 00:19

Just wrote a whole reply out and it got deleted 🤦‍♀️

Basically, I'm not engaging anymore after this. I've explained several times and been repeatedly ignored - you are responsible for your own license not the doctor. This can easily be confirmed with a simple Google search 'am I still obligated to inform dvla of medical condition if doctor doesn't report'. A doctor can report without consent if they discover a patient to continue driving, but you are responsible and duty bound to report on your own license. Read the DVLA info. Educate yourself. Ignorance does not excuse you from being fined and charged if you drive illegally.

Merry Christmas

From the OP's latest update there's a good chance a doctor has told her that either it wasn't a seizure or that she is now safe to drive

Mumof2boys17 · 24/12/2022 00:54

Does she have a valid UK licence. Advised not to drive by the GP and having a medical issue that the DVLA would actually take your licence for is not the same thing. I don’t think the DVLA can do anything without having written notice that she cannot drive? Just my opinion is that like taking medicine that makes you drowsy, you’re advised not to drive and once it’s work off you’re fine. Maybe the doctor meant until they know there’s nothing wrong with her

IWishIHadNotDoneIt · 24/12/2022 06:33

ZZTopp · 23/12/2022 13:23

I’ve received a lengthy text from her, it appears I made a mistake by not considering the details and context. It wasn’t that black and white at all. This has resulted now in a problem between me and my colleague which will now escalate in to work. I’m embarrassed 😞

She had a seizure, she shouldn't be driving. End of story. There is no context to consider. My friend was crossing the road when a driver had a seizure at the wheel. He stepped on the gas as he seized and ploughed into her. She died on impact. He survived but was critically injured, and is now inside as it wasn't his 1st seizure. His selfish action took away the mother of 3 beautiful DC. The eldest was 8.

Westernesse · 24/12/2022 07:05

ZZTopp · 22/12/2022 13:55

My colleague had some kind of seizure about a month ago. She lost consciousness whilst out walking. She was upset and confused when she regained consciousness and was taken to A & E.

She spent a few days in hospital having tests, luckily everything appeared normal. She was told at the hospital she cannot drive for the foreseeable future.

She has been getting a lift to and from work, but I saw her one evening by coincidence driving from the shops.

I asked her the next day in work how she was finding not driving to see if she would admit driving but she just said it’s ‘quite difficult’. I then said I had seen her and she admitted she had driven to the shops. She then said she didn’t tell me because she feels judged. She said the doctors have found nothing wrong with her and she feels well. I said well I think the doctors know best and she replied with, ‘the doctors can only base their decisions and diagnosis on information and test results- my test results are normal and I know how I feel’.

should I report her to the DVLA / police / manager at work?

Mind your own fucking business. They fact “reporting” this person has even crossed your mind speaks volumes.

Oblomov22 · 24/12/2022 07:54

I'm glad it's escalated at work for you. You sound like a busybody. You never knew the whole details. I questioned you on whether it was even a 'seizure' right at the beginning of the thread. Reporting someone wrongly has effects, and I would never speak to you again.