Finding into death of William Patrick Slater

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE Court Reference: COR 2006 004917

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inguest into the Death of: William Patrick SLATER

Delivered On: 25 August 2014 F A Coroners Court of Victoria Daler x 65 Kavanagh Street Southbank Victoria 3006 Hearing Date: 11 December 2013 Findings of: Coroner Paresa Antoniadis SPANOS

Police Coronial Support Unit Leading Senior Constable Kelly RAMSEY.

assisting the Coroner:

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I, PARESA ANTONIADIS SPANOS, Coroner,

having investigated the death of WILLIAM PATRICK SLATER

and having held an inquest in relation to this death at Melbourne on 11 December 2013 find that the identity of the deceased was WILLIAM PATRICK SLATER

born on 19 January 1939, aged 67

and that the death occurred on 27 December 2006

at the Princes Highway, Bairnsdale Victoria 3875

from: 1(a) MULTIPLE INJURIES.

in the following circumstances:

BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

1. | Mr Slater was a 67-year-old man who lived with his wife, Ms Glenis Slater, at their home in

Wy Yung. He had two children and two grandchildren.

2. On27 December 2006, Mr Slater was driving his Toyota 4WD west on the Princes Highway,

Bairnsdale. There were two passengers in the car; Mr James Ferguson and Mr Geoffrey

Woodward; both close friends of Mr Slater. The three men were on their way to a lawn bowls

tournament in Maffra.

3. At about 8.30am, Mr Kane Miller was driving his Ford sedan on the Highway in the opposite

direction, when he steered to the right across a broken painted white line and onto the

incorrect side of the road, colliding with Mr Slater’s vehicle. Mr Miller was 24 years old, held

a full Victorian drivers licence and was the only occupant of his vehicle. He drove steadily at

a constant speed of about 98 kilometres per hour, before accelerating and steering sharply

towards Mr Slater’s vehicle. Mr Woodward observed Mr Miller’s car cross onto the incorrect

side of the road and stated:

Suddenly from the other side of the road a car turned and sped towards us in an oblique direction from the opposite side of the road. I know this because I was looking ahead. The

car came at us very fast and in a straight line towards us.

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Mr Slater steered his vehicle to the left in an attempt to avoid a collision but Mr Miller continued to accelerate and move towards him. Mr Miller did not brake before the front of his car impacted the front driver side panel and driver side door. Mr Slater’s car hit an embankment, rolled and came to rest on its roof. Passing motorists stopped to render assistance and call emergency services. Mr Slater suffered fatal injuries and was killed in the collision. Mr Woodward and Mr Ferguson suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision,

and were transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital by air for treatment.

Mr Miller was also injured in the collision, was assisted out of his car and air lifted to The Alfred Hospital for treatment. Whilst he was being assisted by paramedics, paramedic Ross Salathiel asked Mr Miller if he could remember what had happened. Mr Miller replied that a male and a female were in the car with him and were ‘waving a knife around’. Mr Miller explained that he had schizophrenia and was being treated with medication.

Mr Miller had a history of psychiatric illriess which had been diagnosed as schizophrenia, He was interviewed by police in relation to the collision and could not provide an explanation for his conduct. He had a history of reporting hearing voices and having visual disturbances and

paranoia, but had limited insight into, and understanding of his condition.

Toxicological testing of Mr Miller’s blood revealed the presence of morphine, tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis), midazolam and lignocaine. Police later interviewed Mr Miller in relation to the collision. Mr Miller admitted to being the driver of the Ford sedan at the time of the collision, could provide no explanation for why he was on the incorrect side of the road at the time of the collision, and suggested that perhaps he had been distracted and

looked down for a short moment, but he could not be sure.

A mechanical inspection of Mr Miller’s vehicle was conducted by police which revealed it to be in an unroadworthy condition. However, the inspection did not reveal any mechanical fault that would have caused or contributed to the collision. An examination of the scene revealed no pre-impact tyre marks associated with oversteering of Mr Miller’s car, and concluded that the car would have been under control of the driver prior to impact. The examination concluded that on impact Mr Miller’s vehicle was travelling at about 105km/hr on the wrong

side of the road, and that Mr Slater’s vehicle was travelling at about 78km/hr.

Mr Miller was charged with criminal offences as a result of the collision within six months of the collision. However, there were considerable delays in the fixing of a trial date due to court

availability, a mistrial, a hung jury and several adjournments, some because Mr Miller was

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undergoing involuntary inpatient mental health treatment. Finally, criminal proceedings were permanently stayed by Order of Her Honour Judge Morrish of the County Court on 23 May 2011.

INVESTIGATION — SOURCES OF EVIDENCE

This finding is based on the totality of the material the product of the coronial investigation of Mr Slater’s death. That is the brief of evidence compiled by Detective Leading Senior Constable Jenelle Mehegan, the statements, reports and testimony of those witnesses who testified at inquest and any documents tendered through them; and the final submissions of Counsel. All of this material, together with the inquest transcript, will remain on the coronial file.’ In writing this finding, I do not purport to summarise all the material and evidence, but will refer to it only in such detail as is warranted by its forensic significance and in the

interests of narrative clarity.

PURPOSE OF A CORONIAL INVESTIGATION

The purpose of a coronial investigation of a reportable death’ is to ascertain, if possible, the identity of the deceased person, the cause of death and the circumstances in which death occurred.? The cause of death refers to the medical cause of death, incorporating where possible the mode or mechanism of death. For coronial purposes, the circumstances in which death occurred refers to the context or background and surrounding circumstances, but is confined to those circumstances sufficiently proximate and causally relevant to the death, and

not merely all circumstances which might form part of a narrative culminating in death.*

The broader purpose of any coronial investigations is to contribute to the reduction of the

number of preventable deaths through the findings of the investigation and the making of

' From the commencement of the Coroners Act 2008 (the Act), that is 1 November 2009, access to documents held by the Coroners Court of Victoria is governed by section 115 of the Act.

2 The Coroners Act 2008, like its predecessor the Coroners Act 1985, requires certain deaths to be reported to the Coroner for investigation. Apart from a jurisdictional nexus with the State of Victoria, the definition of a reportable death in section 4 includes deaths that appear to have been unexpected, unnatural or violent or to have resulted, directly or indirectly, from accident or injury and the death of a person who immediately before death was a patient within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1986”.

3 Section 67(1) of the Coroners Act 2008. All references which follow are to the provisions of this Act, unless otherwise stipulated.

4 This is the effect of the authorities — see for example Harmsworth v The State Coroner [1989] VR 989; Clancy v West (Unreported 17/08/1994, Supreme Court of Victoria, Harper J.)

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recommendations by coroners, generally referred to as the prevention role.* Coroners are also empowered to report to the Attorney-General in relation to a death; to comment on any matter connected with the death they have investigated, including matters of public health or safety and the administration of justice; and to make recommendations to any Minister or public statutory authority on any matter connected with the death, including public health or safety or the administration of justice.® These are effectively the vehicles by which the prevention role

may be advanced.’

FINDINGS AS TO UNCONTENTIOUS MATTERS

13. In relation to Mr Slater’s death, most of the matters I am required to ascertain, if possible, were uncontentious from the outset. His identity, the date, place and medical cause of his

death were never at issue. J find, as a matter of formality, that William Patrick Slater born on

19 January 1939, aged 67, late of 2 Mitchell View, Wy Yung Victoria 3875, died at the

Princes Highway, Bairnsdale Victoria 3875 on 27 December 2006.

THE MEDICAL CAUSE OF DEATH

14. Nor was the medical cause of death controversial. On 15 September 2009, an autopsy was performed by the Deputy Director of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM), Associate Professor David Ranson, who also reviewed the circumstances as reported by the police and post-mortem CT scanning of the whole body (PMCT). In his autopsy report, Associate Professor Ranson noted evidence of significant trauma to the body with skeletal trauma, serious soft tissue injuries and major spinal column trauma, and concluded that the cause of Mr Slater’s death was multiple injuries. Toxicological analysis of blood did not

reveal the presence of ethanol (alcohol) or any other commonly encountered drugs or poisons,

The “prevention” role is now explicitly articulated in the Preamble and purposes of the Act, cf: the Coroners Act 1985 where this role was generally accepted as “implicit”.

° See sections 72(1), 67(3) and 72(2) regarding reports, comments and recommendations respectively.

7 See also sections 73(1) and 72(5) which requires publication of coronial findings, comments and recommendations and responses respectively; section 72(3) and (4) which oblige the recipient of a coronial recommendation to respond within three months, specifying a statement of action which has or will be taken in relation to the recommendation,

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FOCUS OF THE CORONIAL INVESTIGATION AND INQUEST

15. In common with many other coronial investigations, the primary focus of the coronial

investigation and inquest into Mr Slater’s death was on the circumstances in which he died.

16. The inquest into Mr Slater’s death was held jointly with inquests into two other deaths,® as each death appeared to have resulted from a motor vehicle collision where there was a question about the driver’s fitness to drive, Each of the three drivers who caused the deaths of Mr Slater, Mr Bailey and Mr Brindle were fully licensed at the time, were seriously impaired in their ability to drive and their impairment caused or contributed to the death. Criminal

proceedings in relation to each death have been completed, but the deaths are otherwise

unrelated.

17. The Victorian licensing regime and the issue of fitness to drive has been the focus of several coronial investigations over a number of years.” There has been extensive consideration of the licensing regime in the past and, without underestimating the complexity of this issue, I considered that it was appropriate to hold an inquest into the circumstances in order to consider any possible regulatory changes that might prevent future deaths in similar

circumstances.

18. The inquest also focused on the issue of reporting of a person’s medical conditions to VicRoads by medical practitioners. In this regard, I invited the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to make submissions. I must emphasise that the focus of the inquest was on the administration of justice and public health and safety, rather than the

conduct of any individual medical practitioner.

VicRoads Medical Review

19. Under the current licensing regime for drivers in Victoria, there are no mandatory reporting

laws. VicRoads advises drivers on its website that “[y]ou are required to notify VicRoads if

5 Keiran Bailey COR 11 0905, Sean Brindle COR 08 5817.

° Inquest into the death of Robin Sara Paul, COR 07 5233, Finding delivered on 20 December 2011 by Coroner Spanos; Inquest into the death of Benita Judd, COR 04 3397, Finding delivered on 16 December 2011 by Coroner Olle; Inquest into the death of Scott Peoples, COR 06 4776, Finding delivered on 11 December 2010 by Coroner Bryant; Investigation into the death of Margaret Digby, COR 10 1653, notification pursuant to Section 71 of the Coroners Act made by Coroner Jamieson on 29 June 2011; Investigation into the death of Anthony Rudzevecuis, COR 10 3695, Finding without inquest made on 1 August 2012 by Coroner Hayes.

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you have, or develop, a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive safely.” A driver may also be reported to VicRoads by any person, if they have genuine concerns about that person’s ability to drive due to a medical condition or impairment, and VicRoads must

investigate these reports.

Ms Tina Vasiliadis, the Manager of Driver and Medical Review at VicRoads gave evidence at inquest. She explained that she managed a team of staff who assessed fitness of drivers, and that these drivers would come to the attention of VicRoads through written notifications or reports by either the driver themselves, a family member or friend, any member of the

community, a police member, a doctor or any other person.'”

At my request, Ms Vasiliadis also provided data to the Court on the number of medical reviews conducted by VicRoads in the 2011-12 year. There were a total of 64,416 reviews conducted in that year, of which 31,942 (49.6 per cent) were reviews that related to

notifications received during the year; and 32,474 (50.4 per cent) were periodical reviews.

VicRoads advised that of the 31,942 reviews received during the 2011-12 year:

e 53 per cent were notifications received by medical professionals

e 25 per cent were self-notifications received by the individual driver

e 10 per cent were notifications received by third parties

e 8 per cent were notifications received by Victoria Police

• 4 per cent were notifications received by occupational therapists."

Ms Vasiliadis explained at inquest that she understood that the onus is on the driver to selfreport to VicRoads if they have a medical condition or take medication that impairs their fitness to drive.’ Ms Vasiliadis explained that when drivers apply for their license, they are asked on the VicRoads application form to indicate whether they have any medical conditions and, if they do disclose any conditions, the applications are referred to the Medical Review team to investigate. The driver would be notified and asked to submit a medical report in

relation to their medical conditions.

'° Transcript page 55.

"Email from Ms Tina Vasiliadis dated 14 April 2014.

”? Transcript page 57.

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Whilst VicRoads does not require that the practitioner who provides the report has treated the driver for any minimum amount of time, Ms Vasiliadis explained that when providing a medical report, practitioners must state for how long they have known the patient, and whether they are familiar with the patient’s medical history. The various medical conditions considered relevant for assessing a person’s fitness to drive are outlined in the Austroads

guidelines.'?

Ms Vasiliadis acknowledged that the conditions suffered by Mr Miller and the drivers in the two other deaths, as well as the prescription and illicit substances they were using would be considered relevant for medical review. She explained that regarding prescription medication, VicRoads relied on the medical practitioner providing the report to assess their patient in accordance with the guidelines and that it is their responsibility to indicate whether there are any side effects in the medications taken by the driver, and/or if they have any concerns about

the patient’s fitness to drive.

Ms Vasiliadis agreed that, ultimately, her team is heavily reliant on the medical practitioner’s familiarity with these guidelines, and added that practitioners must indicate on the relevant VicRoads form that they have assessed their patient in accordance with the guidelines, but were not provided with any additional information from VicRoads or a copy of the guidelines to indicate this. Ms Vasiliadis believed that most practitioners would be familiar with and aware of their obligations under the Austroads guidelines, that she rarely encountered a

practitioner who was not familiar with them and stated J would say it’s common knowledge."

Ms Vasiliadis stated that Mr Miller had not been reported to the Medical Review team for medical assessment at the time of Mr Slater’s death.'° However, he had been reported to VicRoads by police on one occasion in 2008. Mr Miller was asked to provide a medical report, and his father responded to VicRoads advising that his son could not do so as he was in custody at the Melbourne Assessment Prison. Mr Miller’s licence was therefore suspended

because of his failure to provide a medical report.

At inquest, I sought clarification of the way the review system operates in relation to drivers

licences. Ms Vasiliadis explained that once a driver was identified to VicRoads as requiring

8 Assessing Fitness to Drive for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers: medical standards for licensing and clinical management guidelines, March 2012 as amended up to 16 March 2013. Available at www.austroads.com.au/driverlicences/assessing-fitness-to-drive.

4 Transcript page 60.

'S Transcript page 61.

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review of their fitness to drive, they must provide a medical report. The report is then assessed by the Driver and Medical Review team. The team establishes whether further information is required in order to effectively assess the person’s fitness to drive in accordance with their

guidelines.

If further information is required, for example, a report from a medical specialist, and if the team is still unable to determine the person’s fitness to drive, the matter is referred to a medical advisor from VIFM, who provides an expert opinion. Ms Vasiliadis confirmed that

only a small percentage of matters would be referred to a VIFM expert.'®

She explained that VicRoads did not have the power to direct a driver to attend a doctor of its choice. She was unsure as to whether it was theoretically possible and whether the relevant legislation allowed for such referrals.'’ However, she did explain that where further reports were required, VicRoads would ask the driver themselves for a report, usually from a specialist, and would stipulate as to the type of specialist depending on the driver’s medical

condition and the conditions of their licence. '®

The VicRoads Medical Review team comprises two medical case managers who are both registered nurses (Ms Vasiliadis is herself a registered nurse), and work closely with VIFM.

Whilst I understand that they have a reasonable understanding of medical conditions and how they impact a person’s ability to drive, staff are heavily reliant on treating doctors providing medical information and conducting the assessment in accordance with the Austroads

guidelines.”

At inquest, Ms Vasiliadis was asked how VicRoads encourages drivers to self-report. She explained that her team has undertaken community engagement exercises, which involved educating people about the medical review process. She also referred to discussions with medical and health professionals. Ms Vasiliadis stated that her personal view was that VicRoads is doing as much as it can do, to make it public, the knowledge that drivers need to

report if they have any medical conditions.”

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine

1g Transcript page 63.

1 Transcript page 64.

'’ Transcript page 65.

8 Transcript pages 65-66.

” Transcript page 66.

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34,

Dr Sanjeev Gaya of the VIFM, specialist in clinical forensic medicine, traffic medicine and medical advisor to VicRoads, gave evidence at inquest. Dr Gaya has extensive experience in dealing with cases of drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and providing advice to VicRoads on these matters, as part of a team of five medical advisors. Dr Gaya also sits on the Neuro-Ophthalmology Committee expert panel to determine drivers’ fitness, and runs a fitness to drive clinic at St Vincent’s Hospital, where general practitioners (GPs) or any

other medical practitioner can refer patients for assessment.”!

Dr Gaya explained that in his role as medical advisor to VicRoads, his decision is usually based on the information made available in the VicRoads file, but that on some occasions he would directly telephone or contact the physicians who have made the medical report, to

clarify matters. Dr Gaya found practitioners to be very forthcoming.”

On the issue of medical practitioners’ understanding of the issue, Dr Gaya reiterated Ms Vasiliadis’ advice that there is an expectation that any medical report assessing a person’s

fitness to drive has used the existing guidelines.”*

Dr Gaya stated that instances where a driver’s history is not well known to the practitioner making the report posed difficulties, as the GP is not in the best position to provide a report to VicRoads. As regards the drivers in the three cases at inquest for example, Dr Gaya testified that most had a psychiatric illness as well as a history of long-term drug use. Although it is the driver’s responsibility to report a medical condition, Dr Gaya expressed the opinion that such drivers are the least likely to report, partly due to their mental illness, and lack of insight or

judgement.4

Dr Gaya highlighted possible missed opportunities with such drivers, in that there were multiple contacts with agencies, evidence of poor attendance and non-compliance, drugseeking behaviour and driving histories, and no central place to collate such information in order to make it available to the Medical Review team making decisions about their fitness to

drive.”

2! Transcript pages 67-8.

Transcript page 68.

Transcript page 70.

4 Transcript pages 70-1.

°5 Transcript pages 71 and following.

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Dr Gaya also commented on the difficult position of GPs who generally see themselves as advocates of sorts for their patients, in saying ‘no’. He explained that it is difficult for a practitioner to tell a patient that they cannot drive, especially where they might have cared for that person and their family members for many years. Dr Gaya also referred to instances where a patient might attend a clinic in a threatening manner seeking a report, and a

practitioner might simply refuse to prepare one.*°

These concerns were then addressed by Dr Gaya in the context of evidence around mandatory reporting, and practitioners’ concerns about this interfering with the therapeutic relationship with their patients, as well as concerns that some people might not access medical treatment or disclose symptoms for fear of losing their licence.?’ However, Dr Gaya did note that although it is not mandatory for doctors to report a driver, they have an ethical obligation to report if they sincerely believe that a patient is unlikely to report or does not have the capacity or

insight to report.”

In Dr Gaya’s view, an optimal model would be to assist medical reviewers by having as much information as possible available to them. He stated that the basis of a good review will be when this happens from a variety of agencies, all of them have litile bits of information about an individual, which when put together, may provide a better picture for someone to base a

92 2 decision on.”

RACGP Submission

The RACGP advised*” that GPs are often required to assess a patient’s fitness to drive, either at the request of a drivers licensing authority or in the general course of their patient management, and recognised the important role that GPs play in public health and safety when

advising patients about their fitness to drive.

The RACGP advised that it does not have a formal position regarding mandatory reporting regarding a patient’s fitness to drive. However, it raised concerns that mandatory reporting

might dissuade patients from seeking medical assistance they require due to fear of being

26 Transcript page 76.

27 Transcript page 77.

°8 Transcript page 79.

?° Transcript page 78.

°° Letter from Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin, Chair RACGP Victoria Faculty, dated 6 December 2013.

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‘reported’ by their doctor, that this could distort the patient-doctor relationship and might

result in patients seeking to hide conditions from their GP.

The RACGP further submitted that if mandatory reporting of conditions were to be introduced, the possible impacts on a GP if they are not aware of or fail to identify and report a condition that affects a patient’s ability to drive are unknown. The RACGP identified another challenge in defining the severity of a condition and its effects on behaviour that might change within a short period of time, which it submitted would make any form of

reporting difficult to implement.

Victoria Police Policy Rules and Procedures & Guidelines

44,

The Police Coronial Support Unit provided copies of the relevant Victoria Police Manual (VPM) Policy Rules (policy)*’ and Procedures and Guidelines (guidelines) for road policing in order to assist me to understand what powers and in what circumstances, if any, police have

to suspend drivers’ licences immediately.

The guidelines refer to the VicRoads medical review power and ability to seek VIFM advice,

and that police are permitted to report a driver to VicRoads.**

The policy refers to the police power under section 62 of the Road Safety Act I 986" to take action such as seizing keys, in order to forbid a person from driving a motor vehicle where it appears that they are incapable of doing so due to a physical or mental condition. The policy also refers to section 51 of the Road Safety Act, whereby a person may have their licence

suspended immediately if they are charged with a drink-driving or drug-impaired driving

+! Victoria Police Manual Policy Rules, road policing, as at 3 March 2014.

» Victoria Police Manual Procedures & Guidelines, road policing, as at 3 March 2014.

3 Victoria Police Manual guidelines, road policing, /.3 Persons unfit to hold a driver licence.

4 Section 62(1) Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic): A police officer, or a protective services officer on duty at a designated place, who is of the opinion on reasonable grounds that a person, driving or about to drive a motor vehicle, is by reason of his or her physical or mental condition incapable of having proper control of the motor vehicle may do all or any of the following things, namely—

(a) (b)

(c)

forbid that person to drive the motor vehicle while so incapable;

require that person to deliver up forthwith all ignition or other keys of the motor vehicle in his or her actual

possession;

take such other steps as may in the opinion of the police officer or protective services officer be necessary to render the motor vehicle immobile or to remove it to a place of safety.

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offence.*> Section 51 does not address any immediate suspension of a licence where a driver is

impaired due to a physical or mental condition.*°

CONCLUSIONS

The standard of proof for coronial findings of fact is the civil standard of proof, on the balance of probabilities, with the Briginshaw gloss or explication.*” The effect of the authorities is that Coroners should not make adverse findings against or comments about individuals, unless

the evidence provides a comfortable level of satisfaction that they caused or contributed to the

death.

The available evidence supports a finding that Mr Miller caused Mr Slater’s death while his judgement was impaired by his psychotic illness, The inquest was held to elucidate the issue of his fitness to drive and the Victorian licensing regime, which falls outside the scope of the criminal jurisdiction. The inquest assisted in clarifying how the various organisations and

agencies contribute to enforcement of the licensing regime as regards the fitness of drivers.

COMMENTS

Pursuant to section 67(3) of the Coroners Act 2008, I make the following comment(s) connected

with the death:

1,

It is trite to say that some people will continue to drive irrespective without a driver’s licence, whether they have never been licensed. lost their licence through the demerits points register, as a result of a court order or due to a medical condition. However, these deaths were caused by drivers who held a valid driver’s licence at the time of the collision, and I can understand

how this fact compounds the grief of each family who has lost a loved one.

A better licensing regime would encompass the ability to test for drivers’ fitness when they

obtain their licence and would also ensure that driver’s remain fit and capable of driving

35 Victoria Police Manual policy rules, road policing, 3. Enforcement action.

3° However, the policy roles do state that where there is any doubt as to the sobriety/impairment of a driver and there is belief that their condition may be due to injury or illness, seek medical attention immediately. Victoria Police Manual policy rules, road policing, 4./ Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

am Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 C.L.R. 336 esp at 362-363. “The seriousness of an allegation made, the inherent

unlikelihood of an occurrence of a given description, or the gravity of the consequences flowing from a particular finding, are considerations which must affect the answer to the question whether the issues had been proved to the reasonable satisfaction of the tribunal. In such matters “reasonable satisfaction” should not be produced by inexact proofs, indefinite testimony, or indirect inferences...”

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thereafter. The potential for improvements to public safety here are obvious enough. I am not

in a position to say how this can be achieved, but it is worth the striving.

3. There is no system of mandatory reporting in Victoria. There is scope for a great deal of speculation about what may have occurred had these drivers been reported to VicRoads pursuant to such a regime and assessed as unfit. Mandatory reporting by medical practitioners is not supported by VicRoads or the RACGP, and has been canvassed extensively in previous

coronial findings.

4. The current regime relies heavily on the knowledge, capacity and integrity of the individual driver to disclose relevant medical conditions to VicRoads when applying for a licence, or when a medical condition arises thereafter. Moreover, drivers with a psychiatric condition, substance abuse issues and/or dual diagnoses are unlikely to self-report due to a lack of insight or judgement. By definition, self-reporting is against interest, and compliance is difficult to monitor, especially in the context of a dual diagnosis and its effects on driving. Where selfreporting fails, the system relies on a third party being in a position to notify VicRoads voluntarily.

5. Dr Gaya’s opinion at inquest indicates a further complexity. That is, that fitness to drive turns not on the mere diagnosis of a medical condition or psychiatric illness as such, but on the impact of that diagnosis and/or symptoms on the person’s level of functioning as it relates to driving.*®

6. There are potential benefits in the notion of a central repository of information considered necessary by Dr Gaya, so that when drivers are subject to medical review, VicRoads and VIFM are able to access a fuller and more accurate medical history, including any history of driving-related offences.

7. At the very least, continued education of health professionals in all disciplines and specialties, by VicRoads in conjunction with the RACGP and other professional bodies, is clearly warranted, to ensure that fitness to drive is at the forefront of practitioners’ minds when a patient presents with symptoms or is diagnosed with a condition that is likely to affect their

ability drive safely.

8 Transcript page 85.

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I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to: The family of Mr Slater Dr Liz Marles, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Dr Sanjeev Gaya, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Ms Tina Vasiliadis, VicRoads

Detective Leading Senior Constable Jenelle Mehegan.

Signature:

Bowes

PARESA ANTONIADIS SPANOS Coroner Date: 25 August 2014

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