THE family of a woman killed by a driver with failing eyesight has welcomed news that doctors will report unfit motorists.

Bride-to-be Natalie Wade, 28, from Rochford, died in February 2006, while shopping for her wedding dress, after she was hit by a driver with poor vision in Ashingdon Road.

Her aunt, the Rev Linda Gutberlet, has since campaigned for more stringent checks and stricter laws to clampdown on unfit drivers.

At present, it is claimed doctors are often reluctant to report their patients to the DVLA if they believe they should not be driving, for fear of breaching patient confidentiality.

But new guidance from the General Medical Council states doctors have a “public protection duty” to inform the authorities if someone is driving against medical advice.

Mrs Gutberlet, a Methodist minister from Canvey, said: “My niece and thousands of others are dead because of patient confidentiality.

“We are pleased with the confirmation doctors should put public safety first.

“As a family, we welcome this move and wish it had been done sooner, as more lives would have been saved.

“On Valentine’s Day, it will have been ten years since Natalie died, so it is particularly poignant and every little move forward is something we are grateful for.”

The GMC launched a public consultation yesterday *wed* on its guide to confidentiality.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: 'Doctors often find themselves in challenging situations.

"This is difficult territory - most patients will do the sensible thing but the truth is that a few will not and may not have the insight to realise that they are a risk to others behind the wheel of a car.

"A confidential medical service is a public good and trust is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship.

"But confidentiality is not absolute and doctors can play an important part in keeping the wider public safe if a patient is not safe to drive.

'We are clear that doctors carrying out their duty will not face any sanction - and this new guidance makes clear that we will support those who are faced with these difficult decisions."

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “With the right treatment, many illnesses will not lead to people having to hang up the keys.

“The worst thing motorists can do is ignore medical advice. If they don’t tell the DVLA about something that impacts on their ability to drive safely, then their GP will.”

Mrs Gutberlet added: “We long for more to be done in a number of areas, in terms of medical training and awareness, and for the DVLA to be proactive rather than reactive.

“I had to report someone from one of my congregations and it took months, so it is a slow process.

“We’d like to see the Government act to make our roads safer and we must also play our part by having an annual eye test.

“To drive is a privilege, not a right.”