The BBC reports an idea I find rather worrying: it's apparently been suggested that psychometric personality assessment could be made part of the UK driving test. Those who "fail" the personality test will, presumably, be denied a driving licence. The idea is to improve safety by identifying those who are likely to be dangerous drivers.

Now I can see why the idea appeals, there are many dangerous drivers on the road. I'd certainly approve the use of such tests as part of driving instruction to teach self-control behind the wheel. Better education, including psychological techniques for dealing with stress etc, would definitely be welcome. Psychometric tools could be useful as a method of improving self-awareness.

When it comes to more general psychological analysis as part of the driving test I'm deeply uneasy. For a start such psychometric tests are very crude - people behave differently in different situations. Because someone identifies themselves as a "risk-taker" doesn't necessarily mean they'll take risks behind the wheel. People who indulge in extreme sports are by definition risk-takers yet often some of the most careful people around; their lives depend on it.

More worrying is the suggestion in the BBC report that such tests could be used "to root out drivers prone to breaking rules". Once such non-conformists were identified by "picking up their underlying values", "instructors and examiners would then be able to modify the person's behaviour".

Emergency stop!

Are we saying that a driving licence - which most people need - could be linked to a psychological attitude of submission to authority? That people who refuse to comply and conform will be "rooted out" and psychologically reconditioned?

If such tests become a routine part of the governmental apparatus, how much further could they be extended? Could your psychological profile - adjusted or otherwise - be stored on the DVLA database? To be linked to your National Identity Register Number (NIRN) on your ID Card?

As always, I hope that I'm over-reacting and it would never come to that. Hopefully this is just a silly-season story on a slow news day. But the language being used is extremely worrying. When seen in the context of the Mental Health Bill it all has a nasty psikhushka feel about it.

It says something about our society today that people could even suggest such testing.

And it says a lot about our government that it's reportedly keeping "an open mind" on the idea.


driving test mental health UK politics ukpolitics

Labels: civil liberties, mental health