🚀 go-pugleaf

Charlie Perrin wrote:
> 
> On Sat, 24 Feb 2001 14:44:03 -0800, Doug the Desert Tripper
> <destrip@see-below.no-SPAM.net> wrote:
> 
> >At the followup visit, the doctor informed me that a diagnosis of
> >sleep apnea IS NOW REPORTABLE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH
> >AUTHORITIES!! At the time I didn't think much of it, until I got a letter from the
> >Department of Motor Vehicles "Driver Safety Division" (a bureaucratic
> >wing which I didn't even know existed).
> 
> In Texas, it's called the "Driver Improvement Division."
> 
> I (as well as everyone else) has to go through their screening
> questionnaire when they get their drivers' license.
> 
> >I am writing to my reps, Senator Brulte and Assemblyman Leonard, to
> >tell them how I feel about this law.
> 
> Good thing I'm not your Senator or Assemblyman.
> 
> IMHO, It's rather akin to listening to somebody who parks in a
> no-parking zone complaining about getting a ticket.
> 
> >I realize it's designed to increase public safety, but, as usual, the
> >gov. goes too far
> 
> If you study the causes of accidents, sleep deprivation is probably #2
> behind use of alcohol. Much of that may be OSA.

(What is OSA?)
> 
> It may help to read their guidelines:
>         http://www.dmv.ca.gov/driversafety/phy_mental.htm

"Sleep apnea" doesn't fall under THOSE guidelines.  Narcolepsy does,
but not all (or probably most) sufferers from sleep apnea are
narcoleptic.  (Furthermore, why does your doctor have your drivers'
license number?)

IOW, DMV is, as usual, ignoring their own guidelines.  However, the
original poster should either (a) get his doctor to file all the
necessary paperwork, and/or (b) hire a lawyer to investigate whether
I'm right -- that sleep apnea doesn't fall under the law or regulations
--
and file for a writ of mandemus (sp?) to order DMV to follow their
regulations and remove whatever restrictions are put on the license.

The doctor also, was not required by section 2808 to report it
unless (the original poster) was likely to lose consciousness
due to the disease -- if that is the case, the poster SHOULD
refrain from driving -- if that is not the case, the poster
should find another doctor, who is willing to obey the law.

-- 
Arthur L. Rubin   216-5888@mcimail.com