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Diabetics to lose driving licences after hypoglycaemic episodes

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Hi Alan Does this mean any hypos or "just" those when driving?
 
AJLang said:
Hi Alan Does this mean any hypos or "just" those when driving?
Click to expand...

The article elaborates saying
The document gives a new definition of ?severe recurrent hypoglycaemia', as more than one episode in a year that requires the assistance of another person
Click to expand...
, so not just when driving it seems.
 
I can sort of see the point, but I wonder if it will just penalise the honest/careful etc and lead to folks not admitting episodes to their Clinic.

I rarely drive when others are available, and always run BGs quite high when I do drive, test frequently etc, but I'd HATE to lose my licence. Fortunately it'e been years since I've needed anyone to help out with a hypo [touches wood].
 
I don't drive, but I think it is a bit unfair because there can be circumstances well away from getting in a vehicle where a person might have a severe hypo - a night hypo perhaps because of some special set of circumstances that conspire, but which would never arise during the day when driving. How would they know anyway if the person was helped at home by a partner and the episode didn't need reporting to anyone?
 
Maybe me being a bit vague. I know everyone here treats hypos if they are able, but how would DVLA know you have had more than one hyp where you need help?
 
In my 12 years diabetic I have never needed help, so I think the events the DVLA may be considering are hospital visits/paramedic attendance, in which case some investigation is needed to discover why.............

But being automatically revoked is wrong, there could be many reasons why a severe hypo occurred, you may have been prevented from helping yourself for whatever reason.......
 
I would imagine they would only know if medical help was called for. ie. ambulance, doctor, etc

So no more dialling 999 and just keep fingers crossed for many. It could cause more accidents than not.:(

Rob
 
I always get asked at my annual review if had any hypos that I've not been able to sort myself. Is this not the case for everyone?

As others are saying it just suggets that everyone will answer that question 'No' from now on.

M
 
I think I posted about this being proposed a while ago.

I think the guidelines are a bit unclear - as Vic points out, it could mean an ambulance as opposed to your other half getting you hypo treatment in the night.

As I don't drive and therefore don't understand the full processes, does this mean that you could never ever get a license again, or does it mean that it will not be automatically renewed?

Thanks!
 
In the wording I read a while ago, I think it stated to discount night time hypos and I would imagine there'll be a period after the loss to show stability. Or just to lie about any you've had.

Without access to a CGM, they're going to find it pretty hard to prove one way or another. As long as you don't seek medical help and don't keep a record, then they'll not know.

It's pretty bad news for professional drivers, who want to lower their Hb but will be encouraged to kee it high by these new rules. So, for diabetics, driving is becoming very risky for future health.:(

Rob
 
I have had a look at it but still can't clarify if it would be a permanent loss of license or just revoking it at the time and letting you reapply after whatever length of time.

Rob - interestingly - there is a guy I know who has applied to Medtronic for funding to do a PhD into the use of CGM in drivers and pilots. It could be a really amazing study if he manages to get funding for it.
 
I can't imagine it would be a permanent ban - one bad hypo and never drive again, even if you were nowhere near a car and always kept yourself safe whilst driving? That would be terribly unfair. :(
 
I seem to recall a pilot who was allowed to fly if he wore a CGM and had a copilot. Was he a member here ? (can't think how else I'd know, unless I made it up).

It does smack of DVLA covering their own backs rather than finding a practical solution that works in everyday life and that normal humans will adhere to.

I'm sure drunk drivers don't phone the police and admit their offences. Nor do many people with defective eyesight. I doubt whether diabetics will be any different, so it will only be if an ambulance is needed or you get stopped by the police and they insist on a blood test.

But again, can see why they're doing it.

Rob
 
Northerner said:
I can't imagine it would be a permanent ban - one bad hypo and never drive again, even if you were nowhere near a car and always kept yourself safe whilst driving? That would be terribly unfair. :(
Click to expand...

Hypos are something we all have at times. Even severe ones. Whilst sleeping, they don't really pose a threat to anyone else, so they'd not be able to have any jurisdiction at that time.

What surprises me is that we can drive if over 5mmol, then we can wait for 2 hours to test, by which time it can drop a lot. When I drove on holiday last week, I tested about every hour and when I dropped below 5, I swapped seats (I stopped first!).

Rob
 
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Robster65 said:
I seem to recall a pilot who was allowed to fly if he wore a CGM and had a copilot. Was he a member here ? (can't think how else I'd know, unless I made it up).
Click to expand...

Doug Cairns is a pilot who was in the RAF and developed type 1. He now has a recreational license. He raises a LOT of money for JDRF, and along with another type 1 pilot (Karl, who is 22 and was diagnosed at the age of 17). Both of them use Dexcom, but this isn't a requirement to fly.

Karl is a JDRF T1 Youth Ambassador and writes a blog here:

http://jdrft1.org.uk/myblog.asp?section=273&sectionTitle=Meet+others+with+type+1&itemID=370

In Canada people with type 1 can be commercial pilots, which is kind of ironic as it means they can fly in UK airspace, yet people with type 1 here can't.
 
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