Section 1030.18 Medical Criteria Affecting Driver Performance

Section 1030

TITLE 92: TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER II: SECRETARY OF STATE

PART 1030 ISSUANCE OF LICENSES

SECTION 1030.18 MEDICAL CRITERIA AFFECTING DRIVER PERFORMANCE

Section 1030.18  Medical

Criteria Affecting Driver Performance

a)         The competent medical specialist and the Board shall review

and apply the following medical criteria when rendering to the Department a

medical opinion of a driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

1)         The driver must possess the emotional and intellectual ability

to operate a motor vehicle.  The driver's medical condition must be controlled

as follows:

A)        be free from distractions caused by hallucinations;

B)        be free from impulsive behavior, homicidal tendencies and/or

suicidal tendencies;

C)        be oriented with advanced preparation of the driver's

destination;

D)        be able to recognize and understand symbols of language and

road signs and possess the ability to not only see objects in the field of

vision, but also to recognize their significance and to react to them with

sufficient speed to avoid a catastrophe;

E)        possess

sufficient memory to recall the driver's destination, the significance of road

signs and hazards, and the operational control of the motor vehicle;

F)         be

able to distinguish left from right and to judge distance and relative speed of

the motor vehicle as well as other vehicles that may present a potential

danger.

2)         The driver must possess the motor and sensory abilities to

safely operate a motor vehicle

the driver's destination, the significance of road

signs and hazards, and the operational control of the motor vehicle;

F)         be

able to distinguish left from right and to judge distance and relative speed of

the motor vehicle as well as other vehicles that may present a potential

danger.

2)         The driver must possess the motor and sensory abilities to

safely operate a motor vehicle.  The driver's medical condition must be

controlled as follows:

A)        the ability to sit in a stable and erect posture and hold the

head erect throughout an intended driving interval;

B)        be able to turn the head at least 25 degree in either direction

in order to amplify the field of vision;

C)        be able to control the motor vehicle with ease, including the

gripping of the steering wheel and reaching of the controls and pedals, all

without unbalancing or stressing the driver;

D)        be able to perform all routine operations of the motor vehicle

with steady, well coordinated movements.  The reaction time of the driver must

be average and not limited by muscle, joint or skeletal deformity.

3)         The driver must have the ability to sustain consciousness

throughout the entire intended driving interval.

4)         The driver must be free from severe pain that could cause

sudden incapacitation or the inability to control a motor vehicle.

5)         The driver must be able to meet the vision requirements set

forth in Sections 1030.70 and 1030.75.

6)         The driver must not be medicated to the extent of being

incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

b)         The competent medical specialist and the Board shall evaluate

the severity and/or limitations of the medical condition a driver may have on a

case-by-case basis.  The Board may at any time request additional information

to assist it in evaluating the driver's medical case

)         The driver must not be medicated to the extent of being

incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

b)         The competent medical specialist and the Board shall evaluate

the severity and/or limitations of the medical condition a driver may have on a

case-by-case basis.  The Board may at any time request additional information

to assist it in evaluating the driver's medical case.  The Board shall take

into account the driver's past driving history and any underlying documents

requested by the Board or submitted by the driver and any documents relating to

any accident, as well as all medication and/or any mechanical mechanism being

used by, or otherwise available to, the driver.

c)         The competent medical specialist and the Board each have the

authority to recommend full or limited driving privileges to the Department,

including, but not limited to, restricted driving hours or miles, use of

mechanical devices, and other conditions the competent medical specialist and

the Board deem appropriate, such as requesting follow-up medical reports,

depending upon the circumstances of the medical case.

d)         The competent medical specialist and the Board each have the

authority to recommend medical denial of driving privileges indefinitely, or

for a specific period of time.

e)         Information, to the extent known by the competent medical

specialist, to be considered in determining if an individual is medically fit

to safely operate a motor vehicle, shall include, but is not limited to:

1)         History of illness;

2)         Severity of symptoms and prognosis;

3)         Complications and/or co-morbid conditions;

4)         Treatment and medications, effects and side effects, and

person's knowledge and use of medications;

5)         Results of medical tests and reports of laboratory findings;

6)         Functional ability, including mental or emotional function;

7)         Reports of driver conditions or behavior;

8)         Traffic accidents that have been caused by a medic

s and/or co-morbid conditions;

4)         Treatment and medications, effects and side effects, and

person's knowledge and use of medications;

5)         Results of medical tests and reports of laboratory findings;

6)         Functional ability, including mental or emotional function;

7)         Reports of driver conditions or behavior;

8)         Traffic accidents that have been caused by a medical

condition. Temporary medical conditions (e.g., broken limbs) are not to be

considered under this subsection (e).

f)         The Department shall determine if an individual is qualified

to safely operate a motor vehicle based on a vision test, the individual's

knowledge of traffic laws, road signs and rules of the road, vehicle equipment

and safe driving practices, and a road test as outlined in IVC Section 6-109.