Assistant Coroner Robert Cohen has issued a warning to the DVLA following a tragic accident in Barrow. The inquest revealed that 39-year-old James Scott Coates died in a crash on August 20th, 2024. He was driving at high speed when he lost control of his vehicle.
Mr Coates had a history of epilepsy and used cannabis daily. However, he did not report these conditions to the DVLA, despite medical advice to do so. The coroner expressed concern over the current self-reporting system for drivers with medical conditions.
Details of the Incident
The court heard that Mr Coates was driving his Audi S4 at approximately 90mph when he failed to navigate a bend. He collided head-on with a Vauxhall Vivaro, which was travelling at about 30mph. Mr Coates suffered fatal injuries, while the other driver was seriously injured.
Coroner’s Concerns
Coroner Cohen highlighted that the expectation for drivers to self-report medical issues is not being met. He noted this was not the first time he raised concerns with the Department for Transport. Previous cases have also highlighted similar issues.
Impact of Cannabis
Evidence presented at the inquest indicated that Mr Coates had THC levels exceeding the legal limit in his system. The coroner suggested that this likely impaired his ability to control the vehicle. However, he clarified that there was no direct link between Mr Coates’ epilepsy and the crash.
Call for Action
In his report, Cohen urged the Secretary of State for Transport to take measures to improve the reporting system for drivers with serious medical conditions. The DVLA has until May 20 to respond to these recommendations.
Response from the DVLA
A spokesperson for the DVLA stated that they are carefully reviewing the coroner’s recommendations. The agency acknowledges the importance of ensuring that drivers with medical conditions are properly monitored.
