HL Deb 03 May 1960 vol 223 cc290-2WA
BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are taken to ensure that ascertained mental defectives or persons suffering from epilepsy or similar diseases likely to make them dangerous on the roads are not allowed to hold driving licences; how many applications for licences were refused in 1959 on account of such disabilities; and whether, in the event of a person who is charged with drunken or dangerous driving being acquitted on the ground that he was suffering from an epileptic seizure, any steps are subsequently taken to prevent his continuing to hold a licence (with reference to the case of Humphries reported in the Press of 13th April, 1960, as having been acquitted by the Oxford magistrate on a successful defence of epilepsy).

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

Under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, as amended, and the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations, 1950, as amended, an applicant for a driving licence is required to make a declaration as to whether or not he suffers from, among other things, epilepsy or any mental disease which would be likely to cause his driving of a motor vehicle to be a source of danger to the public. If from the declaration it appears that the applicant is suffering from any such disability or if on inquiry into other information the licensing authority are satisfied that the applicant is so suffering the grant of a licence is refused. Information as to the number of applicants who have been refused the grant of a licence on account of such disabilities is not available.

If it appears to a licensing authority that there is reason to believe that a person who holds a licence granted by them is suffering from any such disability and on inquiry into the matter the authority are satisfied that he is so suffering they may revoke the licence and require the holder to deliver it to them for cancellation. In the case at Oxford the driver's licence was revoked immediately and has been cancelled.

In performing these functions, licensing authorities take into account Regulation 5 of the above-mentioned regulations, which includes, among prescribed diseases and disabilities, epilepsy and any form of mental disorder or mental defect as a result of which the applicant is certified or duly ascertained as subject to be placed under statutory supervision.