Abstract

ALAVA URRBURU, Carlos; HUERTA RODRIGUEZ, Inés  and  NOVAL VALLINA, Marian. Literature review on the fitness criteria of professional drivers with mental disorders. Med. segur. trab. [online]. 2011, vol.57, n.222, pp.41-62. ISSN 1989-7790.

Introduction: WHO estimates that traffic accidents and mental disorders will be the main health problems in the first third of the XXI Century. The Spanish Law for drivers (RD 818/2009 Reglamento General de Conductores) mentions the necessity of meeting certain psychophysical requirements to obtain a driving license. Psychological tests approved in Spain are: ASDE Driver Test N-845, 100 and Coordinator LNDETER 2000. Objectives: Investigate the driving ability of people with mental disorders and know the legal aspects of professional drivers' fitness assessment. Methods: We conducted a research in different databases, libraries and out of a collection of 909 articles, 17 of them were selected for full revision. Mental disorders were classified according to Spanish regulation for drivers into 11 groups. We selected 8, because we considered them to be the most relevant. Results: RD 818/2009 strictly regulates the fitness for work of patients with mental disorders. Around 80% of patients with mental disorders do not pass the fitness tests, unless they have few symptoms, or those patients who have a favourable psychiatrist or psychologist report. Conclusions: The Spanish Law for drivers mentions that driving limitations must be accredited by a specialized physician. There is not enough evidence of the sensitivity and specificity of psycho-technical tests used in detecting mental disorders. The patient has a moral duty to inform his doctor about his pathology if it implies danger for others, but there is not a legal obligation.

Keywords : Mental disorders; Automobile Driving; Traffic accidents; Aptitude.

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