§ 79. Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Transport what evidence he has as to the extent to which road accidents are caused by drivers who are unfit to drive because of the state of their health.
§ Mr. Tom FraserPolice records of drivers and riders involved in accidents who were ill, fatigued or physically disabled, show that there were 548 drivers 79W and riders so reported in 1963. The state of health of these drivers and riders may have been a contributory factor in, though not necessarily the primary cause of, the accidents in question. There may also be some accidents in which the state of health of a person involved has not been recognised as a contributory factor.
So far as I know, there is no evidence either way that the medical condition of drivers is a significant factor in causing road accidents. This general question is at present under study, but the study may take some time to complete.