HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH British Journal of Psychiatry Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

Electronic Letters to:

Original papers: Martin Culshaw, Lisa Wootton, and Scott Wylie Alcohol dependence and driving: a survey of patients’ knowledge of DVLA regulations and possible clinical implications Psychiatr Bull 2005; 29: 90-93 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

eLetters: Submit a response to this article

Electronic letters published:

statistic of ignorance.

paul j diamond   (8 January 2007)

statistic of ignorance. 8 January 2007
paul j diamond, taxi driver n/a Send letter to journal: Re: statistic of ignorance. d1mebar{at}hotmail.com paul j diamond	Dear Sir, I just read your piece about your survey relating to driver ignorance in relation to alcohol misuse and dvla regulations on this matter.I dont know another person aware of these regulations. I am 45 years old and until last year was unaware of the said regulations.I like many others I think,thought that a person fulfilled their duty not to be driving under the influence or even the morning after. I became aware of this alcohol misuse label only when 2 years ago I applied for a psv licensce to drive a taxi.On the medical application my GP had noted that I had a prior problem with alcohol but qualified this with in his opinion I was in control of my alcohol intake. I was granted my 5 year psv in NOV 04 but in DEC 05 was asked to attend a medical on behalf of the DVLNI, here in Belfast.My nightmare now begins.... I was found to have a GGT level of 259.I was bemused as an ordinary guy to learn what this was all about. I was told that this should be no higher than 58. Again how many people know what their GGT level is or should be? I controlled my drink habits and over a period of 6 months returned a figure of 158 in August 06 having bettered that at 112 in June 06. On the 158 figure the local authority have revoked my psv for 12 mths and the upshot is that they have seen fit to revoke my ordinary 6mths. I go to court on DEC 12th for an appeal on the 2 counts;to say IM angry is an understatement.but what am I angry at? Well I have had time to reflect and 8 weeks without a sip of a pint.A blood test will as I have come to know verify this.... MY anger is with the driving authority whom we all know can spend thousands of pounds on advertising against drink driving and dont highlight to anyone regulations that can seize ones lively hood. Where has it ever been shown that a GGT level impairs ones ability to drive.And if so at what level are we talking about... below I set out a time frame of blood tests since this all began ....GGT levels.. DEC 05..............259 FEB 06..............189 APR 06..............181 May 06..............119 Jun 06..............112 During JULY AUG ,I did have occasions where I was drinking and returned a GGT level of 158 at the end of AUG 06. I havent had a drink now for 9 weeks and to be honest firmly believe that I am in control but prior to the predicament im in now I truly wasnt aware there was a problem. I realise you may not be able to comment on specific cases but any advise on my story would be greatly appreciated,.On a lighter note.... At my appeal do you think the sitting JUDGE will know what his GGT LEVELS are?? Yours Thankfully Paul Diamond..(STATISTIC of IGNORANCE).