Following the tragic accident at a McDonald's in Ajman where an epileptic driver ploughed into the fast food joint, killing 2, drivers with medical conditions who are unfit to drive will have their licenses revoked.
The driver responsible for the incident at McDonald's admits he had epileptic attacks four times previously and was advised not to drive.
Under Dubai laws that can be found on the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) website, those who suffer from neurological disorders like epilepsy, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and certain extreme cases of diabetes (Type 1), dementia and those with psychiatric disorders are not allowed to work as drivers in Dubai.
This document is provided by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and the Dubai Health Authority and is used by medical professionals who are engaged by the RTA to provide driver medical assessments to determine driver fitness.
Other medical professionals not engaged by RTA may also use the medical standard as a guide when determining a person's medical fitness for a range of activities that may not necessarily be driving related.
However, page three of the Medical Standard states that, there is no UAE legislation requiring a private driver to inform the RTA of a medical condition which may affect their ability to drive safely.
According to Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO, Licensing Agency, RTA, "At the moment we do not have the means of finding out medical conditions that would make normal people unfit for driving and are working with the Federal government and the DHA to study the introduction of legislations that will make it easier for us to obtain information from relevant authorities on info related to medical conditions of normal drivers."
A police official spoke to Khaleej Times, adding that according to the law there is a difference between a person who gets the attack for the first time and a person who is already diagnosed with epilepsy.
The person who gets an attack for the first time would be exempted from criminal responsibility, but will have to face civil responsibility of the harm he caused others. However, a diagnosed patient will be criminally responsible for the harm based on article No 348 of federal penalties law which includes imprisonment and fines. And an epileptic driver, who gets the attacks frequently, will be charged for exposing others' lives to danger.
Article 2/15 of the federal traffic law stipulates that heavy vehicle drivers must present fitness certificates from government hospitals to ensure that he is free of such kind of diseases.
Dubai resident Kaisar Ahmed says, "RTA should revoke unfit driver's licence as Dubai's driving licence terms and conditions are very popular all over the world."
Another expat Swetha believes that the RTA should do this analysis at the time of giving the license. "Medical examination of the drivers should be taken care of before providing the licence. Also there are chances that one can become unfit after getting the licence and it can be some spontaneous illness."
Published: Thu 21 Jul 2016, 9:40 AM
Updated: Thu 21 Jul 2016, 5:08 PM
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