A judge has ordered the Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA) to be informed of a woman’s medical issues after she crashed into a telephone pole causing significant damage, then left the scene due to mental health issues.
Wilma Little (48) from Garvagh Road, Dungannon admitted driving without due care and attention on February 25.
The court heard that in the afternoon in question police received a report of a collision in the Pomeroy Road area of Cookstown.
On arrival officers observed a silver Vauxhall Insignia crashed with airbags deployed.
There was considerable damage to the vehicle and a telegraph pole was noted partially beneath it.
A substantial amount of debris was located on the road near the vehicle which had ultimately come to rest against a farm wall.
The telegraph wire was lying across the road and damage had been caused to the perimeter fencing of the farmland.
There were no persons present but checks showed the vehicle was registered and insured to Little.
Police attended her home and she confirmed she had crashed the car and left the scene as she suffered from anxiety and takes medication for this.
She had never had an accident before and after walking from the wreckage, accepted a lift home from a passing motorist.
In terms of the crash itself, Little recalled driving as normal and braked on approaching a corner but the car kept going.
She was apologetic and cooperated fully with police including providing a breath sample for alcohol which was negative.
A defence solicitor told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court Little is being treated for longstanding mental health issues and is under the care of a physiatrist who provided a letter stating the loss of her Driving Licence would impact on her ability to engage with therapeutic services.
At this, Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare said: “There is a concern here around the defendant’s fitness to drive generally. It’s not that there was any suspicion of alcohol being a factor however the DVA should be informed of her medical situation and her medication. They need to make a decision as to whether she is someone who should be holding a licence.”
He noted there was no evidence the psychiatrist or any other person involved in Little’s care had done this, despite clear guidance for all medical practitioners in this respect.
Details are contained in the ‘DVA Assessing Fitness to Drive– A Guide for Medical Professionals’, with mental health issues including anxiety and side-effects of medications listed at Chapter 4.
This states a person affected in this way must not drive and DVA must be notified. If, after three months, the condition is stable, all treatment programmes have been adhered to and medication side-effects do not interfere with alertness or concentration, a licence may be granted.
Judge O’Hare continued: “Accordingly I direct the PPS to contact the DVA and it remains to be seen what will happen after that.”
Taking onboard Little’s cooperation and that she was fully insured Judge O’Hare imposed a fine of £200 along with five Penalty Points.
