UPDATED Problem with seat belt exemption certificate...

luckybug

I was given by my GP a seat belt exemption certificate over 20 years ago stating on it - it was indefinite, as my shoulders and arms are bad, I can drive an automatic car and the power steering is a godsend, but I cannot reach my seat belt, anyway I popped the certificate in my jacket pocket and forgot, washed it, it disintergrated, but now my new GP doesn't want to give me one? I understand his reasoning, as he has seen many crash victims, but I still can't reach the seat belt, so he has left me in a really bad situation, I have been pulled twice by the police, who believe me, but have told me if I get the wrong officer I will have to produce and then if I cannot I wil be taken to court and fined maybe even get points? Anyone else had problems with getting theres?

UPDATE: Saw a different GP today and got one no problem, he still had reservations, but said for people with my problems and my condition is what they were made for. So at last, no more worrying about being pulled over xx

kazpaz

Fortunately I don't need one but at work, (I work in the NHS), I went to an interesting talk by a gentleman from the DVLA and there are all sorts of gadgets to help getting a belt on and different styles of belts. Maybe your GP can refer you to OT for an assessment?

If that fails, he might think again about giving you the exemption certificate. I sort of agree with him though. I worked in A+E for 18 months. Saw some dreadful injuries and deaths.

Kaz

petmad

I read this with interest given the problems I have with my shoulders. I did not know about the exemption certificate, nor the fact that aids were available. Linda

luckybug

kazpaz wrote:

Fortunately I don't need one but at work, (I work in the NHS), I went to an interesting talk by a gentleman from the DVLA and there are all sorts of gadgets to help getting a belt on and different styles of belts. Maybe your GP can refer you to OT for an assessment?

If that fails, he might think again about giving you the exemption certificate. I sort of agree with him though. I worked in A+E for 18 months. Saw some dreadful injuries and deaths.

Kaz

I do wear a belt if I go on motorways as I always have someone with me, I only go local in the car and seeing how I can't park in the street after 4pm, I think I'm pretty safe, and have been driving almost 25 years and never had a bang. As for more gadgets, I would need a long handled one to grab the belt from my shoulder, then one to fit it in the holder, I am sick of gadgets, I don't carry a handbag anymore, I take a suitcase....... lol

rubyrude

At my work (day centre for adults with disabilites) a couple of people have exemptions but we have got some better support around changes to seat belts and now everyone is comfortable and safe, I know gadgets can be a pain but its worth a look remember at 30mph in a crash you could easily go through the windscreen and kill someone else.....

colinb

i dont know if it applies here, but if you are using the motability scheme, ask your doctor to refer you to nearest drivers assessment cantre. they will advice and show not just the best type of car for you etc, but also any adaptations which can be made to it to help you..some of them are amazing, and often free too.

downside of this is that the assessor will test your suitablity to be driving at all, measuring braking reaction and pressure tests etc, and if they feel you are unsafe to drive...they will tell dvla.
colin

luckybug

colinb wrote:

i dont know if it applies here, but if you are using the motability scheme, ask your doctor to refer you to nearest drivers assessment cantre. they will advice and show not just the best type of car for you etc, but also any adaptations which can be made to it to help you..some of them are amazing, and often free too.

downside of this is that the assessor will test your suitablity to be driving at all, measuring braking reaction and pressure tests etc, and if they feel you are unsafe to drive...they will tell dvla.
colin

Thanks colin,
I just recently got a vauxhall zafira, maybe something to consider next time though, I'm a great driver, hopefully a different doctor will help me later this week, each doctor has his own opinion.

colinone

You can get a gizmo that fits on your door around the window winder area (i know you have electric windows)
see dealer about that or try the long shoe horn i keep one in the car its great for reaching the seat belts or anything else.
Colin