Changes to driving standards sparks backlash
- Replies 11
A new change to the driving fitness standards may potentially fine thousands of drivers more than $9000.
The 2022 Assessing Fitness to Drive standards, a collaboration between Austroads and other groups, includes autism for the first time as a condition requiring an individual assessment–leaving many, like Aussie mum Emily Geraghty, confused and worried.
Geraghty, a 27-year-old mum-of-two who was recently diagnosed with autism, delivered her two cents’ worth to this policy change.
The guidelines state that the ‘overarching requirement’ for persons with certain conditions, which now includes autism, ‘is that a person with a condition that may impair safe driving will need to report and be assessed’.
Unfortunately, the new rules vary from state or territory, leaving Geraghty and others like her in limbo.
In response, Geraghty, who comes from a 'neurodivergent family', ripped into the new changes–adding some of her 'favourite' attempts to explain it.
'I think my favourite reason that they gave for this (change) was autistic people not being able to pick up on the facial cues of other drivers,' she said.
'What?! Who’s facial cues are we picking up when we’re driving? John at the lights next to me having a good dig at his nose?’
Geraghty understood one of the other reasons given for the change–sometimes autism can result in 'meltdowns'. She pointed out a flaw in that; for most autistic people, her included, routines are held in utmost regard no matter changing circumstances. To illustrate her point, she zeroed in on driving habits.
‘I’m telling you, there’d be most of us–including me–we take the same route to places all day everyday. Doesn’t matter if there’s going to be traffic and there’s a shortcut, we’re not doing it. We’re taking the same route because that’s the route we flipping know,' she said.
‘Because, news flash, guess what? Autism comes with this little thing, it’s called cognitive rigidity, so we’re really black and white about following rules. Including road rules.’
'It’s a disability where we’ve got, you know, things with repetitive behaviours,' she added.
Geraghty also pointed out another factor the policy change fails to consider, especially in cases like hers where adults are diagnosed late.
'Like, does the government not realise that for late diagnosed people, we were autistic when we sat the original test,’ she added.
'If I can sit and do a test with a woman literally perceiving me for 35, 40 minutes while I’m taking a test and not have a meltdown, babe we’ll (autistic people will) be right.'
As a driver with autism, Geraghty, who is still waiting to hear back from authorities on how she should proceed, is ready to fight for her right to drive–and for others in similar situations.
While most jurisdictions require drivers with a long-term health condition or disability to report it or face a hefty fine that can cost up to $9,288 and cancellation of licence, reports state that vast knowledge gaps still exist when it comes to studies on how autism affects driving.
Occupational therapy driver assessor can perform an on-road assessment that costs around $1,500, but in cases of failure, subsequent ‘driving rehab’ lessons cost between $130-$150 each.
You can watch Geraghty’s full video below:
What do you think of this story? Do you think it’s unfair to people with autism? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
The 2022 Assessing Fitness to Drive standards, a collaboration between Austroads and other groups, includes autism for the first time as a condition requiring an individual assessment–leaving many, like Aussie mum Emily Geraghty, confused and worried.
Geraghty, a 27-year-old mum-of-two who was recently diagnosed with autism, delivered her two cents’ worth to this policy change.
The guidelines state that the ‘overarching requirement’ for persons with certain conditions, which now includes autism, ‘is that a person with a condition that may impair safe driving will need to report and be assessed’.
Unfortunately, the new rules vary from state or territory, leaving Geraghty and others like her in limbo.
Emily Geraghty, a mum with autism, expressed sentiment on new driving laws. Image: TikTok / @emilygeraghty96
In response, Geraghty, who comes from a 'neurodivergent family', ripped into the new changes–adding some of her 'favourite' attempts to explain it.
'I think my favourite reason that they gave for this (change) was autistic people not being able to pick up on the facial cues of other drivers,' she said.
'What?! Who’s facial cues are we picking up when we’re driving? John at the lights next to me having a good dig at his nose?’
Geraghty understood one of the other reasons given for the change–sometimes autism can result in 'meltdowns'. She pointed out a flaw in that; for most autistic people, her included, routines are held in utmost regard no matter changing circumstances. To illustrate her point, she zeroed in on driving habits.
‘I’m telling you, there’d be most of us–including me–we take the same route to places all day everyday. Doesn’t matter if there’s going to be traffic and there’s a shortcut, we’re not doing it. We’re taking the same route because that’s the route we flipping know,' she said.
‘Because, news flash, guess what? Autism comes with this little thing, it’s called cognitive rigidity, so we’re really black and white about following rules. Including road rules.’
'It’s a disability where we’ve got, you know, things with repetitive behaviours,' she added.
Geraghty also pointed out another factor the policy change fails to consider, especially in cases like hers where adults are diagnosed late.
'Like, does the government not realise that for late diagnosed people, we were autistic when we sat the original test,’ she added.
'If I can sit and do a test with a woman literally perceiving me for 35, 40 minutes while I’m taking a test and not have a meltdown, babe we’ll (autistic people will) be right.'
Geraghty blasted the justification for the new driving law against autistic people. Image: TikTok / @emilygeraghty96
As a driver with autism, Geraghty, who is still waiting to hear back from authorities on how she should proceed, is ready to fight for her right to drive–and for others in similar situations.
While most jurisdictions require drivers with a long-term health condition or disability to report it or face a hefty fine that can cost up to $9,288 and cancellation of licence, reports state that vast knowledge gaps still exist when it comes to studies on how autism affects driving.
Occupational therapy driver assessor can perform an on-road assessment that costs around $1,500, but in cases of failure, subsequent ‘driving rehab’ lessons cost between $130-$150 each.
You can watch Geraghty’s full video below:
What do you think of this story? Do you think it’s unfair to people with autism? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
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