Should Those on the Spectrum Operate Commercial Vehicles?

[Bolletje]

I agree with most on here that it should be evaluated on an individual basis. I’m currently being evaluated for a normal drivers license, which involves talking to a psychologist and a psychiatrist, having a separate doctor evaluate the findings of those assessments, and doing a driving test.

 

[Progster]

I don't think that people with ASD should automatically be excleded from driving heavy good vehicles, or indeed, and other potentially hazzardous activity, because not all those on the spectrum will experience those difficulties. There are professional drivers on the spectrum who are competent and good at their jobs. There are people on the spectrum to be found in all walks of life - if one were to exclude them from one profession, others would follow, and that is discrimination. Each individual should be assessed so a personal profile is created of that individual, and career advice given to that individual based on the findings.

 

[Fino]

I know I shouldn't! I could barely handle a cash register!

 

[Judge]

It's as though they're more concerned if a potential employee is on a substance than if they are capable of doing the job.

That's precisely what is occurring. A form of loss control.

Negligence in not knowing your job which can result in bodily injury and/or property damage can be costly. Negligence on the job that involves substance abuse can be far worse. And in either case, the insurer likely to pick up most of a settled loss.

 

[Bronzelincolns]

sure, why not?

 

[Fino]

I remember when every job required a polygraph, which never made sense to me since they're not admissible in court.

That's interesting! Was the results of the polygraph final or was some further testing done if it worked against them?

 

[Judge]

Polygraph testing back then is like the drug testing today. There was a place on every street corner that conducted the exams; and the thing is they can be defeated, as they're not 100% conclusive like a drug test. I know, because I have defeated them.

Aldrich Ames, one of the more famous persons to get past polygraph exams with shining colors.

Luckily for the US, ironically he was far less careful about showing up for work at the CIA with new clothes and a new car and other manifestations of wealth provided by the KGB. He got caught and the rest is history. A resident of the Federal Correctional Facility at Terre Haute. Life without parole.

 

[Judge]

I wasn't familiar with that bit of history. Dang, but he looked a lot like Julius Rosenberg. Why is it spies always look like creepy porn producers?

LOL...add John Anthony Walker Jr. to that list.

Of course the worst was Robert Hanssen...but he was more of a choirboy:

 

[tducey]

I can't do it but every case is different. If they're capable of doing so I don't think this would be an issue.

 

[Skids]

I think it's also vitally important for the autistic individual looking for a specific driving job to consider all these factors beforehand and ensure they feel confident and competent enough to do the job safely.

I have driven large commercial vans and transported live animals around during my job but only within the local area of about 50 miles and not too many big cities to contend with and that was fine.

However there would be absolutely no way i would ever consider driving a bus. For one i need the toilet a lot and making impromptu stops along the route to nip to the kazi wouldn't go down well. LOL

Also i would have to bear in mind that i am responsible for the safety of lots of passengers and i've enough on sometimes just looking after myself. That responsibility would be too great although i reckon i could drive a bus competently in a professional capacity but an empty one. lol

Finally i've seen buses skidding all over the place when the snow hits and that's terrifying as it is but to have to drive to a schedule and have lots of passengers aboard in adverse weather conditions would freak me out. I couldn't and wouldn't do it.

Same with being a minibus or taxi driver. I'd probably get booked on a lads stag party to take them to and from the horse racing and their behaviour and noise levels would probably end up with me dumping them somewhere on the side of the road just to escape the chaos.

There's also the chit chat to consider too so i couldn't be a taxi driver. Inane small talk just because it's socially the 'done thing' winds me right up. I'll drive you man but don't speak to me ok?

I could definitely drive a delivery truck or small lorry but again it's the time schedules placed on you by the employers to get your deliveries done and i'd probably get stressed, overwhelmed and have a meltdown eventually.

As for HGV's. The only benefit of a job driving one of those is that you spend long periods alone and you don't have to talk. The downsides are that they are huge and i'd no doubt get stuck under a small bridge or end up skidding it into a river or something. HGV's would be far too difficult for me.

Given all that i reckon motorcycle pizza delivery guy would suit. So long as it's not raining.

 

[Mr Allen]

Meh, in July 2003 I was turned down for a provisional driving license because I'm Aspie and have other disabilities, go figure.

 

[Gracey]

I’ve driven a lot of different types of vehicles.
Passengers, no passengers, huge, tiny.

Never did feel safe on a motorbike as pillion. (I wasn’t in control)

Pre GPS era, all paper maps.
Got a bit of a thing for paper maps

Added to the challenge of getting a wagon load of troops from A - B, pick up from Z.

So it wasn’t just being competent enough to drive, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it,
Rules of the road, mechanics, physics, maintenance, responsibilities.

Did I ever get stressed?

Not really.

 

[WildCat]

If they can do so competently and have all the paperwork in order, I don't see why not. If they want to operate a motorbike or watercraft, own a house or business or brew their own coffee and can do so...why not?