NJ MVC Police and physicians
Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are
the number one cause of injury-related deaths in people aged 65-74? Did you
know that many seniors and others with special medical conditions are unable or
unwilling to decide for themselves whether it is safe for them to drive? Or
that their families are often afraid to take away the keys? It's true, and
that's why police and physicians often play a leading role in protecting these
individuals from the perils of unsafe driving. The following information is
intended to help you in this ambitious goal.
Physicians
By regularly assessing their patients' fitness to
drive, medical professionals can better identify drivers at increased risk for
crashes, help them enhance their driving safety, and ease the transition to
driving retirement if and when it becomes necessary.
Physician reports due within 24
hours
New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 39:3-10.4) requires
physicians to report patients to the Motor Vehicle Commission within 24 hours
after determining that the patient experiences:
recurrent
convulsive seizures
recurrent
periods of unconsciousness or impairment; or
loss of
motor coordination due to conditions such as, but not limited to, epilepsy in
any of its forms, which persist or recur despite medical treatment
How to file a Medical Emergency
Report (Physicians)
The Medical Review Unit greatly appreciates the
support of the New Jersey medical community in this effort and tries to
simplify the process for you:
If you
believe that one of your patient's is no longer fit to driver, please fill out
MVC's Form MR-4: Medical Emergency Report [612k
pdf]. If you are unable to download the form or have any questions about its
contents, please call (609) 292-7500 ext. 5032
You may
also receive the "Medical Emergency Report" from individuals who have
been reported to the MVC by law enforcement or family members, and have been
sent the forms in the mail. Please note that this form must be returned within
45 days in order to avoid license suspension
Completed
forms may be returned via fax: (609) 292-7504, orUS mail to: Medical Fitness
Review Unit, P.O Box 173, Trenton, NJ 08666-0173
The
American Medical Association provides helpful information in its Physicians Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older
Drivers
The
physician’s findings in the "Medical Emergency Report" determine the
next steps in the medical review process, which may range from indefinite
license suspension to a restricted license, to no action required. Many times,
additional information or tests are required
In
instances where a seizure disorder, syncope condition or recurrent loss of
motor coordination has been identified, a 15-day direct order may be issued
according to NJAC 13:19-5.2
Approximately
55% of cases are referred to doctors on MVC's Medical Advisory Panel. These
doctors review information and test results provided by the driver’s personal
physician—the Medical Advisory Panel does not perform examinations or
communicate directly with drivers. This process takes approximately 3-4 weeks
Police
Few people are more qualified to make a judgment about
a person's fitness to drive than a police officer. Every day, officers
encounter drivers that are medically impaired during standard traffic stops and
at the scene of accidents. At times, police officers may also be approached by
individuals who are concerned about the driving skills of a family member. MVC
greatly appreciates the support of police officers in this effort.
How to file a Medical Emergency
Report (Police)
Here is an explanation of how MVC's medical review
process works when a police officer is involved:
If a
police officer believes that an individual may not be medically fit to drive,
they should fill out MVC's Form MR-5: Driver Examination/Medical Evaluation Request
[609k pdf]. If you are unable to download the form from this website, or if you
have any questions about the medical review process, please contact us at (609)
292-7500 ext. 5032
Completed
forms may be returned via fax: (609) 292-7504, orUS mail to: Medical Fitness
Review Unit, P.O Box 173, Trenton, NJ 08666-0173
MVC
appreciates the professional insight of police officers in reporting their
concerns about driving behavior. The drivers you report will be required to
undergo a thorough medical review to determine their fitness to drive. This may
result in a re-examination of their driving abilities
If a
police officer wishes to receive updates on the status of a driver who they
reported to MVC, please call (609) 292-7500 ext. 5032. Unfortunately, a medical
review can often be a long, drawn-out process. MVC appreciates your commitment
to these cases and will make every effort to keep you updated
Approximately
55% of cases are referred to doctors on MVC's Medical Advisory Panel. These
doctors review information and test results provided by the driver’s personal
physician. The Medical Advisory Panel itself does not perform examinations or
communicate directly with drivers. This process takes approximately 3-4 weeks
In
instances where a seizure disorder, syncope condition or recurrent loss of motor
coordination has been identified, a 15-day direct order may be issued according
to NJAC 13:19-5.2
Medical Fitness Review Unit
P.O. Box 173
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0173
The undersigned recommends that the New Jersey licensed driver (named below) submit to a
driver reexamination and/or evaluation .
D.L. NUMBER: __ --
CLASS: ENDR: RESTR:
DOB: __ -- EXPIRES: -- __
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY/STATE/ZI P:
SEX:
EYES: HT:
-_ ISSUED: --
Reexamination may be required of drivers in the categories below. Please check any that apply to this driver:
1. Persons having mental or physical disorders which may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle;
2. Persons involved in a traffic accident resulting in a fatality where a violation of any of the provisions of
N.J.S.A. 39:4-1 et seq. is established;
3. Persons who have accumulated 12 or more points as provided in N.J.A.C. 13:19-10.1;
4. Persons convicted of violating any of the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-1 et seq, where the judge determines
that the offense was of such a careless, reckless or indifferent nature as to require reexamination.
I have reason to believe that this driver should submit to a reexamination and/or medical evaluation because of the
information on the reverse side of this form.
Signature Badge Number/Court Code
Title
(please print or type)
Full Name
Police DepartmentICourt
Address
City Phone Number
DRIVER EXAMINATION AND/OR MEDICAL EVALUATION REQUEST
Motor Vehicle
Commission
MR-5 (R10/11)
Officer's Name:
Driver's Name:
Date(s) of Incident(s)
Was driver charged with any Motor Vehicle violations?
No Yes If yes, provide statute(s) code(s) and summons number(s).
Did an accident occur? . .
No Yes If yes, attach copy of your accident report, including narrative or diagram.
Upon Questioning, did the driver admit to any physical problems or medical conditions?
No Yes If yes, indicate statements
Have you had any contacts with the driver?
No Yes If yes, describe circumstances of contact.
In the space below, provide a narrative that describes why you believe that this driver should undergo a reexamination or
medical evaluation. If the source of the information provided below is someone other than yourself, provide that
observer's name, full address and the telephone number where the observer can be contacted during normal working
hours. If the driver contests the need for reexamination or medical review, you and/or any observers/witnesses may be
subpoenaed to testify at an administrative hearing related to this matter.
Source:
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