AARP lauds Senate vote on drivers

The AARP of Idaho has issued a statement commending the Idaho Senate for passing HB 160, protecting doctors from lawsuits if they recommend to the Idaho Transportation Department that a patient’s driver’s license be revoked. The bill also asks the doctor to provide a copy of the recommendation to the patient or family, and to discuss the concerns with the patient or family first. “The legislation also encourages doctor to make the right call for their patients’ safety without fear of repercussions for their actions,”  said Jim Wordelman, AARP Idaho state director. Click below for the group’s full statement.

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

AARP IDAHO COMMENDS SENATE FOR PASSAGE OF DOC/DRIVER BILL

AARP-Supported Bill Helps Elderly Drivers & Their Families Get the Facts, Explore Options Before Giving Up The Keys

BOISE, Idaho – One of the toughest conversations many families will have is when it’s time to hang up the keys for elderly drivers – thanks to Idaho lawmakers, that conversation may become easier.   Today, the Senate passed House Bill 160 to help patients and their families have conversations with their doctors and explore alternatives on the sensitive issue.  The AARP-supported bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.

In Idaho, doctors who are concerned when patients pose a threat to their own safety or the public by continuing to drive can recommend to the Idaho Transp. Dept. (ITD) that the patient’s driver’s license be revoked.  House Bill 160 says that doctors should first notify the patient or their families regarding the concerns, helping to foster a conversation in a medical context, which can help explore options, such as changing prescriptions or limiting driving hours.

“Driving is often an issue of independence for older Idahoans, and conversations about when it might be unsafe to continue to do so are never easy,” said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho. “House Bill 160 makes it easier for drivers and their families to get the facts and explore the options on this sensitive issue, prior to stopping driving.  AARP commends the Idaho Senate for passing this measure and we urge the Governor to sign it into law.”

AARP supports encouraging physicians to voluntarily report patients who pose a threat on the roads due to a substantial impairment, yet have ignored the physician’s advice to stop driving.

“The legislation also encourages doctor to make the right call for their patients’ safety without fear of repercussions for their actions,” added Wordelman.

The legislation also requires doctors to provide patients or their families with a copy of the report filed with ITD, helping to ensure that neither is blindsided by the move and have another opportunity to have a discussion about the concerns.  Doctors who make “good faith” reports are protected from liability under the bill.

Older adults have the lowest crash rate per licensed driver of all age groups.

AARP is Idaho’s largest membership organization with 180,000 members.

Follow us on Twitter @AARPIdaho and Facebook: AARP Idaho

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