Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
AUGUST 2020 | 41
Motoring
SIX UNEXPECTED
HEALTH CONDITIONS
YOU MUST TELL
DVLA ABOUT
Drivers have been warned about
six surprising health conditions
that the DVLA must be notified
about – or motorists could
face a fine of up to £1,000.
FIVE DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN DRIVING
VANS AND CARS
As drivers begin to take to their vans again they’ve
been warned of some of the differences between driving
cars and vans which they may have forgotten.
Experts from LeaseVan.
co.uk are hoping that reminding
drivers about the difference in
speed limit and safety mirrors
might stop van drivers from being
fined or given points whilst out
on the road. A spokesperson said:
“It’s very easy when you’re used
to driving a car to just jump into
a van and think that everything is
the same. However, this isn’t the
case. The rules of the road are
slightly different when in a van
due to safety measures and the
way the vehicle is built. Make sure
you brush up on you van driving
knowledge before you take to the
road to help avoid any expensive
fines or points.”
1. Speed limit
The speed limit is the same for
both cars and vans when driving
around residential areas. However,
when vans get to single or
dual carriageways and motorways,
their speed limit is 10 miles
per hour lower than that of cars.
For single carriageways vans
should be travelling at no faster
than 50mph, and no faster than
60mph when on dual carriageways
or motorways.
2. Rear view mirror
Vans aren’t fitted with a rearview
window or mirror, making
it even more important to check
wingmirrors when undertaking
manoeuvres such as reversing.
Wing mirrors are often fitted with
two mirrors, one with the same
function as a cars wing mirror
and another to act as a rear-view
mirror.
3. Bridge and barriers
Vans are often wider than cars,
meaning that more care needs to
be taken when it comes to signs
stating the width of a barrier or
tunnel, or the maximum load a
bridge can take. The dimensions
of your van should be easy to
find in the vehicle’s manual.
4. Turning circle
Vans have a much larger turning
circle than that of cars, so
make sure you leave more space
when attempting manoeuvres
such as a three-point turns. Even
turning a corner could need you
to take a longer line. If you’re
getting used to your van, take
it to a quiet area such as a big
supermarket car park at night to
get used to the van.
5. Loading
If you plan on carrying lots of
tools in the back of your van, or
transporting big heavy objects,
ensure it’s loaded correctly. Vans
are at higher risk of becoming
destabilised than cars, so ensure
that heavier items are at the bottom
of the vehicle. They should
also be tied down so that if there
is any movement internal damage
won’t occur.
https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits
A spokesperson for
StressFreeCarRental.com
said: “A few of the conditions
we’ve highlighted are obscure,
but when you consider
their side effects, it’s clear to
see why the DVLA need to
know. If you forget and are
involved in an accident as a
result of your health condition,
it could even lead to
prosecution – so it’s really imperative
to make sure you’re
abiding the rules. The rules
for certain health conditions
differ for bus, coach or lorry
drivers, so it’s always best to
double-check.”
1. Diabetes
You need to tell DVLA if
you have diabetes treated
by insulin, and your insulin
treatments last or will last over
three months. This applies if
you had gestational diabetes
too. You should also let them
know if you get disabling
hypoglycaemia (low blood
sugar) or if a medical professional
has told you that you’re
at risk of developing it.
2. Vertigo
If you experience dizziness
that is sudden, disabling, or
recurrent, you must tell DVLA.
This applies to car, motorcycle,
bus, coach and lorry
drivers.
3. Déjà vu
You must tell DVLA if you
have seizures or epilepsy
that cause déjà vu. Déjà vu
is a neurological anomaly
related to epileptic electrical
discharge in the brain, creating
a strong sensation that
an event or experience currently
being experienced has
already been experienced in
the past. You should talk to
your doctor if you’re not sure
if your déjà vu is related to
seizures or epilepsy.
4. Sleep apnoea
There are several sleep
disorders that you should tell
DVLA about, including confirmed
moderate or severe
obstructive sleep apnoea
syndrome (OSAS), narcolepsy,
cataplexy, and any other
sleep condition that has
caused excessive sleepiness
for at least three months. You
should also notify them if
you’re taking medication that
has caused excessive sleepiness
for three months.
5. Labyrinthitis
You must tell DVLA if you
have labyrinthitis, which is
an inner ear disorder that
can cause dizziness, nausea,
and loss of hearing.
6. Heart
palpitations
If you regularly have heart
palpitations, which are heartbeats
that suddenly become
more noticeable and may
feel like pounding, fluttering,
or irregular beating, the
DVLA require you to inform
them.
https://www.gov.uk/healthconditions-and-driving