Diabetic persons should not drive: Dubai Traffic Chief

Dubai’s traffic police chief was reported on Monday as saying persons suffering from diabetes or other serious diseases should not be allowed to drive.

In comments published in the Arabic language newspapers, Major General Mohammed Al Zafin said those afflicted with diabetes, epilepsy or other illnesses that cause fainting should be accompanied by healthy adult persons if they have a driving licence.

“I call on authorities to revise rules giving or renewing driving licences to old people or those suffering from diabetes, epileptic seizures or sudden fainting…drivers who already have a licence and suffer from such illnesses should be accompanied by healthy adults,” Zafin said.

He said ill drivers are a key cause of road accidents, adding that Dubai would work this year to cut the road death rate. His figures showed the rate had already dropped to 122 in 2012 from 134 in 2011.

“2013 is the biggest challenge for us in our drive to reduce deaths in road accidents…..our target is that the death rate should not exceed 104 in 2013.”