Yes, deaf people can drive safely. Yet when deaf people are involved in an accident, or witness one, they are often blamed automatically, simply because they cannot hear. The blame is often shifted onto deaf people because most of them find it hard to communicate with the police. It happens frequently that the police push deaf people to sign a statement confirming that they are at fault. That is often cruel. Anyone who has ever ridden with a deaf driver will notice how careful and responsible they are on the road. It would be best if deaf people took out traffic legal protection insurance. For those who cannot afford such insurance, there should be financial support for deaf people, to protect their lives.
Case 1: Hit from behind at a red light
A deaf man was driving and stopped at a junction when the traffic light turned red. A few seconds later, the car behind crashed into his. When both men got out of their cars, the other driver noticed that the deaf man could only communicate with gestures and sign language, and he quickly accused him of reversing into him. They argued. The police could understand the man who had caused the accident, but sadly they could not understand the deaf man’s account of what had happened. As a result, the deaf man spent many years with lawyers and court cases to find out who was at fault. He suffered financial problems, arguments in his marriage and sleepless nights. He could not concentrate at work and was mentally exhausted. In the end it became clear that the deaf man was innocent. The other driver had caused the accident, and he was a lawyer himself, so he knew exactly where the innocent man was vulnerable.
Case 2: Forced to sign a confession
A deaf woman was driving along winding roads through open countryside and forests. As she turned right, a fully occupied car coming the other way cut across into her lane to take a shortcut. The two cars collided, and both were damaged. Both drivers got out to find out who had caused the accident. The driver of the full car noticed that the deaf woman could not communicate in the usual way. After a short discussion, a man came over to the deaf woman and explained that her car should be moved so other traffic could pass. He helped her reverse her car. Shortly afterwards, the police arrived. The people in the full car told the police that the deaf woman was to blame because she had turned too wide. They also accused her of leaving the scene of an accident without permission, because she had reversed her car herself.
The police could not communicate with the deaf woman. She asked for a sign language interpreter. The police explained that this would mean a long wait and high costs, and said that all four people in the other car had stated as witnesses that the deaf woman was at fault. The deaf woman refused to sign, but the police threatened her with consequences. Out of fear, she finally signed. In court, she was found guilty because of her signature. The financial consequences were the loss of her no-claims bonus and extra costs. Her life fell into financial hardship, even though she was innocent. She had to take a second job to make up for it.
Case 3: Told to keep quiet as a witness
My ex-partner and I had planned a cheerful drive. After a quiet journey, I noticed a car standing at the entrance of a tunnel with its hazard lights on. Since the car had been standing there for a long time, I was puzzled and walked over to it. There I saw that two cars had collided. I stayed and waited for a while. Eventually the driver of one of the cars came over to me and asked me to act as a witness and say what had happened. We went to the police. The police started writing an accident report. In the meantime, I told the police officer that I am deaf. But I could not follow what was being said. The officer looked at me angrily and told me to shut up. A woman then explained to the officer that I am deaf. After that, he spoke to me clearly and asked for my address. I was allowed to leave.
I asked myself what I was worth. I felt worthless, the way he seemed to mean it, even though I had only given my statement. He only listened to people without disabilities. I was simply speechless at the behaviour of the police.
Why do deaf people have to pay extra?
Sadly, it happens often that innocent deaf drivers are drawn into traffic accidents. What makes me especially angry is something I saw on Instagram: an insurance adviser who knows sign language said that deaf people have to pay for sign language interpreters at their lawyer’s office themselves. That is why he recommends deaf people take out additional legal protection insurance, because most legal protection policies refuse to cover interpreter costs. I ask myself why we have to apply for additional legal insurance. It is certainly not cheap. Why are we simply punished? We do not earn as much as pilots or people in other professions. That is why, as a politician, I demand that the state covers all interpreter costs, from A to Z.
What really shocked me was an interpreter who stood on a stage and actually claimed that deaf people should pay for interpreters themselves. Why are we punished again and again? How can she think like that? I wonder why she does not simply interpret for us for free. We are not wealthy.
This article was first published in German: Können Gehörlose Auto fahren?
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