Driver's license expertise and psychiatric diagnosis. An analysis of 712 specialist expert assessments
Gutierrez, K.; Bankier, B.; Schmid-Siegel, B.
Psychiatrische Praxis 24(6): 275-280
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-4259 PMID: 9490441 Document Number: 480731
In a large University Department of Psychiatry a retrospective analysis of 712 psychiatric expertises on fitness to drive was carried out to identify factors influencing the decision "unfit to drive". Psychological test results were identified as the most potent factors influencing this decision, whereas a psychiatric diagnosis seems to be less important. The results indicate that demographic data and history (previous psychiatric hospitalisations, previous verdict "unfit to drive") were not influential. It is concluded that today's psychiatrists, when carrying out expertises on the question of fitness to drive, do not follow previous recommendations of placing a verdict of "unfit to drive" on all persons with a psychiatric diagnosis. They obviously follow a more individualised and pragmatic approach.