Driving

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aymes said:
I totally agree, none of us is infallable and however much we feel we would be able to feel a hypo before it got dangerous there is always that possibilty that we wouldn't, it's not only about our own safety and what trouble we could get ourselves in if we didn't but there are so many other people who could be harmed by the results of a hypo driver that I really can't see why anyone would want to take that risk???
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my point exactly, thankyou.
 
annemarie08 said:
:( I'm not sure about regal requirements etc with regard to glucose testing before driving, whether you are diagnosed type 2 or type 1. My personal opinion is that regardless of law, any responsible diabetic should test before driving. All you diabetic drivers out there that don't test before driving, ask yourself this... god forbid, how would you feel if a loved one of yours was seriously hurt or killed in an accident caused by a diabetic driver hypo, who did'nt test because legally they don't have too..? I know this comment will not win me many friends for saying this but, sometimes it's not about what you HAVE to do, but what you SHOULD do....:confused:
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I agree and anyone with common sense will agree to!!

when diagnosed my nurse told me all about dvla regs and the getting out of driving seat and 45 min to sort yourseldf out rule. she told me that could be prosecuted if police found you in driving seat whilst being hypo!!
 
I informed the DVLA as soon as i was diagnosed but never did i recieve information about the law and when to test etc i just had my license replaced with a 3 year one. Luckily my diabetes nurse told me all the info otherwise i would be none the wiser.
 
tracey w said:
Would like to know where you would stand if you were to have a hypo and god forbid accident. Would you loose your liscence if you could proove via meter you had appropriate blood sugar before getting behind the wheel?
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I would say that the situation would only happen if you had hypo unawareness, in which case yes you should use your liscense.

I believed the 45 minutes recovery time was for a hypo, not a blood sugar between 4-5. if you are between those you could drive as long as you had a snack.
 
DVLA Guidlines

Hi all, just got my letter from DVLA and thought i would post on here exactly what it says to avoid any further confusion
DRIVERS WHO HAVE ANY FORM OF DIABETES TREATED WITH INSULIN PREPARATION MUST INFORM DVLA

Drivers with INSULIN treated diabetes are advised to take the following precautions:

Do not drive if you feell hypo or your bs is below 4.0 mmol/l.
If hypo developes whilst driving stop in a safe place asap, switch off the engine, remove the keys and move out of the drivers seat
DO not resume driving for 45 mins AFTER your bs has returned to normal as it takes 45 mins for the brain to recover
ALWAYS keep fas acting carbs such as glucose tabs in the vehicle
ALWAYS carry your bs meter and strips with you, CHECK before driving even on short ones and test every 2 hours if long, if it is below 5 have a snack before driving
Carry personal id indicating you are diabetic
TAKE regular snacks/drinks and rest on long journeys
Hope this helps :D
 
There was a case in scotland where someone crashed and killed someone. they had a hypo at the wheel, the person was imprisoned, charged with driving whilst under the influance of drugs.
 
Hi guys
when i started reading this thread i thought you were all crazy and obsessed about testing blood suagr before driving. i was aware that you're supposed to do it and mildly aware of the risks if you get in trouble but i drive every day to work or elsewhere and i never test before driving, never have done.

After reading all of your comments though i've realised that i'm perhaps the crazy one here. i should know better. I'm not bothered if i hurt myself from lack of care but i would hate to hurt anyone else.
I have had hypo's at the wheel before and its pretty scary stuff but i have always dealt with the properly, eg, pulling over, turning engine off etc and looking back on those times i realise now that i should take more care.

Thanks guys, its a massive wake up call 🙂
 
Also as an added thought to all of this.
If you test before you drive you have the proof that you tested and what that reading was, if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident.
Bottom line is you are responsible for your own actions.
You can also bet your bottom doller that if you are involved in an accident and even if it's not your fault the other drivers ins will try to blame you and your diabetes.
 
Angel30eyes, thanks for typing that up!

And as far as the rest goes, we are definitely responsible for our own actions and eventhough I never tested before driving I'm reconsidering that now. Good to talk about things like this and hear everyone's views.
 
DVLA & Driving

Your welcome 🙂 I did a law degree and one of my cases was a train driver who derailed the train as she didn't see an obstruction that someone had put on the line as a dare because she was hypoing and turned round to grab something because she had missed breakfast, she got jailed for life for killing someone even though someone else had put something on the line she had gone to work knowing she could hypo as she had not had her breakfast so i know how important it is to do everything by the book 🙂
 
i would say that if you are contacting the DVLA about your diabetes and driving if they say that you don't have to test type 1 or 2 i would ask the person you are talking too to send you what they say in writing so if you have any problems in the future you have it in writing (i bet you they will then go off and find out if they are giving the right information)
also my son has just recived his provisional license and about 2 weeks after reciving it he was sent 3 pages letter about drive with diabetes insulin
 
Always be sure of your levels when driving. I am type1 and have been on insulin for twenty years. I had a nasty experience in the early days, and do my very best never to repeat it. All insulin dependent drivers are on a renewable licence. If you are hypo at the wheel, you lose your licence and it can take some time to get it back. Always carry juice or jelly babies in the car, and take these immediately you feel anything.
Keep all roadusers safe, and keep your licence 🙂🙂
 
I rarely have hypos so I've been pretty slack with this. If I've tested within the previous hour I don't do it again right before driving. If it's been a while I do test.

I wouldn't follow all the DVLA recommendations though. There's no way I'm sitting on the hard shoulder for 45 minutes after a hypo before driving off again!
 
kitemaster said:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/upload/Driving_Diabetes_9044.pdf

Its quite comprehensive and could help answer some of the questions in this thread:D
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I know this was posted a long time ago but I think it answers a lot of my quesions, so thought I'd bring it to the front incase others were thinking the same.

For me I was considering sorting out a licence for C1, 3.5 tonne / 7.5 tonne vans, but it seems a bit long winded seeing as there is no real need for me to do it just incase I fancy moving some heavy gear about! Looks like I'll have to call in some favours next time I need to!!
 
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