The current fitness-to-drive checks have received criticism following the revelation that no-one had been prosecuted following a fatal incident in Glasgow. The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the bin lorry crash was told that the driver Harry Clarke had lied to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) regarding his health. Prosecutors ruled out criminal charges against the driver in February, and also ruled out making any criminal charges against Glasgow City Council, the employers.æ Neither party were blamed for the crash. It was alleged that Clarke had blacked out at the wheel of a stationary bus whilst employed by First Bus in 2010, and it emerged that this had not been fully revealed when he made his application for an LGV license with the DVLA, and when he underwent health assessments by Glasgow City Council. Despite these allegations, he will not face any legal action. Drivers are required by law to sign a form stating that they meet the necessary medical standards when applying for their license, with the requirements stricter for lorry and bus drivers due to the size and weight of the vehicles. Dr Wyn Parry, the chief medical adviser to the DVLA, told the enquiry that the current system of self-declaration and detection of relevant health issues had a 'weakness' and exposed applicants to a 'huge level of temptation'. It is a criminal offence not to inform the DVLA of a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive, and the maximum amount of time that anyone giving misleading information could face is two years. David Wilson, the solicitor acting for the family of one of the crash victims, said that the family was 'extremely shocked' that no-one had been charged.
