Barring Accident, No Way for State to Know a Driver's Medical Condition

By Steve Gravelle, Reporter

One person was killed and five people were injured when an auctioneer's truck went out of control on the sale barn's lot on Monday, August 6, 2012. The truck stopped three blocks away after hitting several parked cars and a tree. Dan Ehl/Kalona News Photos

Tools

By Ellen Kurt

Story Created: Aug 7, 2012 at 2:14 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 7, 2012 at 2:14 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Unless it causes an accident, there's no way the state would know a driver has a medical condition that could hamper his driving.

"We’re not going to necessarily know everybody’s medical condition," said Dena Gray-Fisher, spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

One person was killed and five injured, two seriously, Monday when a truck carrying the auctioneer's booth at the Kalona Sales Barn went out of control and struck several people. Police and witnesses said the truck's driver appeared to suffer a seizure or other medical condition.

If a medical cause is confirmed, it will be noted on the accident report, triggering revocation of the driver's license, Gray-Fisher said. The license would be reinstated only on a doctor's finding the driver isn't subject to seizures or other chronic conditions.

"If that person appeared to have a blackout or something, that would be reported and checked out," Gray-Fisher said. "We always rely on a medical opinion."

If there's no accident, IDOT wouldn't know of a driver's threatening condition unless it's apparent to a license examiner or police officer, Gray-Fisher said.

It's not unknown for examiners to deny license renewals to elderly drivers, and provisional licenses may restrict a driver with mileage limits or other conditions.

"They may be able to drive with accommodations or only drive in the daytime," said Gray-Fisher. "It can be restrictive."

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.


read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.

What's On KCRG