Page 37 - 2985-Florida's-Guide-to-Aging-Drivers-(EnglishOnly)-20171030-rgb-screen
P. 37
Doctors and the Medical Community
Doctors and health care providers are also
important partners for you in planning your safe
driving needs.
They can help you be more
aware of how medical
conditions may affect your
physical or mental function,
which can impact your
safe driving fitness. When
the effects of a medical
condition are progressive, periodic evaluations
are required. According to NHTSA’s Driver Fitness
Medical Guidelines, medical conditions that affect
safe driving can fall into these three categories:
r Conditions that create functional limitations
r Conditions that involve a possible loss of
consciousness
r Use of substances (alcohol, drugs, medications)
judged to be incompatible with safe driving
We can all expect to be confronted by mobility
problems as we age. This does not mean that the
medical community can withdraw or suspend
your driving privileges; only the DHSMV has the
authority to make that decision through the
Medical Advisory Board (page 15). The health
professional’s role is to provide the DHSMV with
the information it needs to help determine your
ability to drive safely as it relates to your state of
health.
35
