Coroner's plea to halt fitness-to-drive 'lies'

Patricia Evans and her husband Martin were killed in a crash near Workington

A coroner has called for a change to the system that allows drivers to self-refer if they have medical conditions which affects their ability to drive.

Robert Cohen, assistant coroner for Cumbria, has written to the Department for Transport (DfT) following three deaths caused by motorists who had "lied" about their fitness to drive.

In a prevention of future deaths (POFD) report, Mr Cohen referred to a teacher from Carlisle and a driver from Sunderland who were both jailed after suffering medical episodes at the wheel prior to fatal crashes. Both had been advised not to drive.

The DfT said the government was "considering the current process of self-declaration".

Mr Cohen said he feared more people would "continue driving whilst endangering lawful road users" unless the process changed, adding his concerns were triggered by two separate crashes.

David Devoy was jailed for causing the death of Neil Errington by dangerous driving

One claimed the lives of Patricia Mary Evans, 68, and her husband Martin Gareth Evans, 70, on the Stainburn Bypass near Workington in February 2023.

The coroner said the collision had been caused by David Henderson, driving another vehicle, who had passed out at the wheel.

Henderson, a primary school teacher from Carlisle, was jailed for more than seven years, banned from driving for more than 16 and must pass an extended test before getting his licence back.

The other crash, which killed 50-year-old Neil Errington in May 2022, was caused by a driver having a seizure.

David Devoy, from Sunderland, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for causing Mr Errington's death and was banned from driving for 10 years after his release.

The coroner said drivers with certain medical conditions had lied to the DVLA

In his letter, Mr Cohen said he heard evidence from a DVLA witness who told him that lies about fitness to drive were "disappointing but not wholly surprising".

The coroner said he asked to hear the inquests in succession because they occurred after a driver suffered a medical episode which caused them to lose control of their vehicle.

He said: "In each case the drivers had been aware of their propensity to experience such episodes. In each case the drivers had been advised not to drive.

"The drivers responsible for the collisions had repeatedly lied to the DVLA about their fitness to drive."

'Unable or unwilling'

Mr Cohen also referenced a separate case in Lancashire in which a woman died in a crash where a driver lost consciousness.

The man was unaware he had dementia which meant he could not detect his own unusual behaviour and self-refer his condition.

"Each of these cases illustrate the problem with expecting that those who have medical impairments should self-refer to the DVLA," Mr Cohen said.

"There will be cases where, despite repeated advice not to drive, a person is unable or unwilling to inform the DVLA of their situation."

Coroners can send a POFD report when they think action is needed to protect lives and organisations receiving one have 56 days to detail what action they will take.

The DfT said people could be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to notify the DVLA about a condition that might affect their ability to drive safely.

A spokesman said: "We are preparing to introduce the first road safety strategy in over a decade and we will set out the next steps in due course."