Fatal Accident Inquiry determination highlights
Alexander Paul Thomas Irvine (“Xander”) died as a result of having been struck by a motor vehicle on Morningside Road, Edinburgh, on 30 June 2020.
The cause of the collision was the loss of control of the vehicle by the driver and owner, Edith Duncan. who was aged 91. Ms Duncan lost control of the vehicle while attempting to perform a turning manoeuvre on Morningside Road, Edinburgh, a two-way street in an urban area. As a result she drove her vehicle onto the opposite carriageway, over the kerb and onto the pavement, striking Xander and his mother. The loss of control was entirely caused by Edith Duncan’s inability to perform safely what would otherwise have been a routine turning manoeuvre. She was, at the time, suffering from significantly impaired cognitive ability as a result of undiagnosed frontotemporal dementia, and was unfit to drive or hold a driving licence.
Driving Mobility response
Like everyone else we are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the family of Xander Irvine.
We noted the recommendations of the Sherriff’s Fatal Accident Inquiry. Particularly the statement that drivers should only continue driving if they have ‘successfully undertaken a short initial cognitive assessment. Failure to pass that assessment should result in both the application for renewal, and any current licence, being suspended pending further assessment’.
Driving Mobility is a charity dedicated to providing help and advice to older and disabled people on safe independent mobility. We accredit a network of independent and NHS ‘fitness to drive’ assessment centres across the UK. These centres already routinely provide this type of assessment either on self-referral by the older person or their family or through a referral from DVLA, the NHS, Motability or the police.
Our clinical assessment services help to enable drivers, of all ages and abilities, to retain or regain the ability to drive safely. Older drivers make up a significant proportion of the clients who come to our centres for assessment by a qualified clinician (generally an occupational therapist) and an Approved Driving Instructor.
Our professional teams carry out cognitive and practical driving assessments, to identify clients who are able to continue to drive safely, those who are not considered safe and individuals who may need tuition. We also provide help and advice on alternatives to driving for those not considered safe to continue behind the wheel.
Driving Mobility centres carry out some 13,000 assessments annually. Between 3,000 and 4,000 each year are people who have some form of cognitive impairment including dementia. Approximately half of those tested are likely to be found to be unfit to drive.
#DrivingMobility