Received this in my email box
from Massachusetts AARP.
Do you think that healthcare providers
should be watch dogs for the RMV or do
you think they are providing a service
to fellow drivers by reporting medically
impaired drivers
from Massachusetts AARP.
Dear BRIDGET,
There are new rules of the road in the commonwealth -- and they go beyond the ban on texting while driving. This month, AARP Bulletin takes a closer look at a major component of the Massachusetts safe driving law: medical reporting.
The new law, which went into effect on September 30, creates a strong medical reporting system within the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Health care professionals, law enforcement and others may now voluntarily report medically impaired drivers to the RMV. Further, the RMV is charged with developing standards to help health care providers and others better assess a driver's ability to handle a vehicle safely, inlcuding the impact of functional and cognitive changes. AARP strongly supported strengthening the medical reporting system in Massachusetts - because similar systems have been proven to reduce crashes in other states.
The new law also:
Bans texting while driving.
Mandates drivers age 75 and older to renew their licenses in person - and pass an eye exam - at five year intervals.
Creates a "trigger system" to identify unsafe drivers and get them off the road; if a driver is involved in three surchargeable accidents within 24 months, he/she gets reassessed.
To learn more about the new safe driving law, and how it will affect you, visit aarp.org/ma.
Deborah Banda, State Director
Linda Fitzgerald, State President
Want to brush up on your driving skills? To find an AARP Driver Safety class near you, call 1-888-227-7669. Or take the course online.
Do you think that healthcare providers
should be watch dogs for the RMV or do
you think they are providing a service
to fellow drivers by reporting medically
impaired drivers