What is the law re: driving with foot in plaster?

[blindswelledrat]

Im just curious.
Is it illegal?
Is it illegal unless a Doctor says otherwise?
Or is it actually legal unless a Doctor says otherwise?

THanks all

[blindswelledrat]

Fair enough in an automatic.
I have my right leg in plaster and a manual so it might be slightly different.
THats what Im trying to ascertain.

[blindswelledrat]

Yes. Ive tested the water and its barely any different driving with it on than off hence I would hope that it is ok on that front.
I just have a gut feeling it isn't legal and I don't know why.

[blindswelledrat]

10 Pence Short said:

It'll boil down to being in full control of the vehicle. Can you do an emergency brake? Can you move your leg quickly and without hinderance between the brake and throttle pedal?

If you can, drive. If you can't, don't.

Yes is the answer to that. Although IM not sure that is the be-all and end all of this (unless you can direct me to somewhere that the law agrees with you)
I agree with you in principle, its just not neccesarily a legal opinion

[blindswelledrat]

iamed said:

When my mate's ankle was in plaster he didn't drive. I think the doctor said he was unfit to drive, and that was that as far as the insurance company was concerned.

I havent asked the doctor, because I feel certain the doctors answer will be a default "no". Fairly sure they would not be able to ascertain your ability to drive with a plaster on thus would never ever risk saying yes and ergo leaving themselves open to being responsible.

Re INsurance- if it is an insurance issue ONLY, then presumably if you had an accident-they would have to prove that your foot being in plaster caused it if they wanted to not pay out?

[blindswelledrat]

Arese said:

Hmm, if the cast is fitted properly then you shouldn't be able to move your ankle, which would make driving very difficult.

Hmmm, good point. I have a split cast on at the moment which is more felxible than perhaps they should be. Perhaps this will become a moot point when they replace it with a proper one again then.
Although Im not sure.

[blindswelledrat]

oldsoak said:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11116...

NOt really that relevant I dont think. But thanks

[blindswelledrat]

SOrry, fair point. THis was then contradicted by the next paragraph with a quote saying that it isn't really legal so Im still none the wiser though.

[blindswelledrat]

Oldsoak, as mentioned earlier- there is no way on earth that a Doctor would sign me off as alright to drive (I assume) so that sentence just reads to me that I cant.

[blindswelledrat]

Arese said:

[
How long have you had it on? I've never been so depressed as I was when I had mine on. I could hardly walk, really useless on crutches (being 17st), and had to wear a big rubber sock over it when I showered. Mrs Arese went away for the weekend when I'd had the plaster on for ten days. As soon as I'd waved her off, I cut the plaster off with a Stanley knife and wire cutters

Yep, agree with the frustration.
10 weeks now and another 5 or 6 to go Im told. Indescribably frustrating and st.
ANd I too hate crutches, but I have to do about a mile a day on them. Gets easier but no less annoying.

[blindswelledrat]

oldsoak said:

Then that is your answer then...if you are so sure a Doc wouldn't sign to say you were OK even though there is no specific offence committed by driving whilst your foot is in plaster.
You did ask what the law's position was didn't you?
You now know...job done.

Contrary to perception, IM not trying to be argumentative. I don't really get your point.
I don't think a doctors opinion is that relevant (opinion, not law obviously) in that a doctor could never be a judge of driving ability thus would never ever sing something effectively giving you carte blanche to drive.
I cannot envisage any situation whatsoever that a doctor would sign you off as fit to drive regardless of whether you can actually drive as they don't actually know.

[blindswelledrat]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Under S 148 RTA 88 they would still have to pay out against 3rd party risks if anything untoward happened whilst driving with a gammy leg but if not notified under the terms of the policy then fully comp aspect will be up the spout and also give an opening for them to claim back third part costs from driver.

dvd

And surely, they would have to prove that my disability hindered my driving, and further that this disability caused the accident in order to refuse to pay out?

[blindswelledrat]

SOrry and another aspect of this is whether the police would have a problem with it and whether you could get points?
Any of the resident BiB able to answer?
Are there still any resident BiB?

[blindswelledrat]

Consisely put Oldsoak and exactly as I would have assumed.
Is it fair to say, then, that I could not be 'done' by the police for driving with a plaster unless my supposed disability caused a driving infringement?

Edited by blindswelledrat on Monday 23 November 16:35

[blindswelledrat]

Ah, but Slider (Am I right in thinking you are/were traffic?)

If you were to stop someone for speeding, for example, and then noticed thier leg in plaster- would you push that issue, or not?

[blindswelledrat]

Ok-to be more specific, provided that you had no reason to believe my driving was affected by my leg, would you ever try to make it an issue?
Would this apply to most traffic officers?

Secondly-could the fact that this may affect my insurance mean I could get done for driving without valid inurance?

[blindswelledrat]

Bill said:

blindswelledrat said:

Secondly-could the fact that this may affect my insurance mean I could get done for driving without valid inurance?

If your insurers are happy, then get it in writing and carry the letter with you.

THere is no way they will be, and hence I wont ask them.
As someone else has stated earlier in this thread:
1)Insurers will only be happy if the doctors are happy
2)A doctor would never purport to be the judge of someones driving
As a result, there is no way Id get anyone to agree that I was fine to drive.
THus if I am going to drive it would be best never to ask because at least I havent be told 'no'

[blindswelledrat]

^Slider^ said:

THings..

Thanks for the input.
Im clearer now for that.

[blindswelledrat]

AH, good post Bill.
Hadn't thought of it that way.
Ill try it, although I have a feeling the Consultant wont say im medically fit to drive either
I might even listen if he does!