Benoît Durand first believed in “A Belated April Fool’s Day” learning of the publication in the Official Journal, Sunday April 3, of an order prohibiting driving for people with neuro-evolving pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease. The director general of France Alzheimer said on franceinfo “surprised” by this text which updates the list of compatible or incompatible illnesses and disabilities, with or without adaptations or restrictions, for obtaining a driving licence.
The incomprehension of Benoît Durand and all the greater as his association participates in a study “since a year” on the issue of driving for patients with this disease.
Were you surprised by the publication of this decree in the Official Journal?
Benoit Durand: I am surprised. In fact, I even thought it was a delayed April Fool’s joke. Surprised because we were commissioned to carry out a study on mobility and in particular on the problem of automobile driving (with road safety, the Médéric Foundation), partly financed by the State, which has been going on for a year and whose conclusions should arrive in a few months. So I don’t understand this statement. It comes too fast. Above all, it is anything but exhaustive. I admit that I don’t quite understand. The decree says from “the appearance of a cognitive decline and in particular pathological decline such as Alzheimer’s or related diseases, total ban on driving”. But who will take responsibility? Who makes the decision?
Is it complicated for doctors to make this decision?
Above all, is it the general practitioner? Is it the neurologist? Who is it ? Because there may be a certain delay between the general practitioner who will eventually pre-diagnose cognitive disorders and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. We will refer him to a neurologist who will give him a diagnosis, but suddenly, in certain departments, certain cities, there may be delays of twelve to eighteen months before having an appointment and therefore still an even longer delay in obtaining a diagnosis. What happens during this waiting period? I do not know. Have insurers also been put in the loop? Who takes responsibility for collecting the keys?
Especially since it is difficult to detect the disease?
Often sick people are in denial, even families are in denial. Often, people when they realize all this, even when there is a diagnosis, there is a withdrawal. There is a kind of isolation. What are they going to do, these people?
Transportation will have to be resolved to go to activities, doctor’s appointments, etc. If they no longer have a car, what do they do?
Benoit Durandat franceinfo
Because the caregiver may very well not be driving. His only means of independence may be the vehicle. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it away because it’s a danger to others. But how do we support it? Who explains to him? Who takes responsibility? Who helps the person?