Citation

Hocking B, Landgren F. Aust. Fam. Physician 2003; 32(9): 732-736.

Affiliation

bruhoc@connexus.net.au

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14524213

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The national standards for assessing private and commercial vehicle drivers have recently been revised and combined into a single publication 'Assessing Fitness to Drive', published by Austroads. The new publication provides greater clarity of medical criteria for general practitioners and specialists and also details useful management guidelines. OBJECTIVE: This article introduces GPs to the new standards, outlines the key changes and implications for practice and highlights several medical, legal and ethical issues. DISCUSSION: Assessment of fitness to drive is a common issue in patient management and one that carries significant health, safety and lifestyle consequences both for the drivers themselves and other road users.