Fitness to drive?

[helli]

Moderator Note: This conversation was split away from an earlier thread here https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/group-2-licence-rejected.116045/

Absolutely the police can ask you to prove you were fit to drive hence why you need a device that can store 6 weeks of readings.

I was told by my DSN that, if I was unlucky enough to be involved in an accident and if I were able to, I should do a BG reading immediately at the scene.

Yes, your insurer or the third party insurer could ask for proof of fitness to drive.

Failure to follow the rules is a criminal offence and can lead to hefty fines.

That has made me realise I have never set the date and time on my finger prick meter. So although I have more than 6 weeks of data, if could be difficult to prove I was fit to drive at the time of the accident.
I would probably take a finger prick reading and photograph the result. Or take a screenshot of my CGM graph in case I need to reinstall the app and lose the data.

However, while I realise the police can ask to prove I am fit to drive, they would not necessarily know I had diabetes treated with insulin unless I told them. I have a medically restricted license (valid for 3 years) but it does not give the reason for the restriction.

Sorry, I am musing aloud.

 

[dannybgoode]

if could be difficult to prove I was fit to drive at the time of the accident.

Note the police could ask for proof of fitness to drive at any time really - say they stopped you for jumping a red light or pulled you for some other reason. If they found out you were diabetic (would flash up when they did the licence check for eg - they would ask why it was restricted or it may even show on the DVLA system even if it doesn't show on your physical licence), they could ask at that point also.

 

[CliffH]

Absolutely the police can ask you to prove you were fit to drive hence why you need a device that can store 6 weeks of readings.

I was told by my DSN that, if I was unlucky enough to be involved in an accident and if I were able to, I should do a BG reading immediately at the scene.

Yes, your insurer or the third party insurer could ask for proof of fitness to drive.

Failure to follow the rules is a criminal offence and can lead to hefty fines.

I think that being in a collision when insulin has caused blood glucose to be below 4 (and when the driver has seen that it's below 4 - or simply hasn't tested within two hours) is regarded as driving under the influence of a drug and could therefore lead to a prison sentence in extreme cases.

 

[helli]

Note the police could ask for proof of fitness to drive at any time really

I realise what they could ask but has anyone on the forum actually experienced it?
Does the average speed cop understand what BG level signifies fit to drive?

 

[Lucyr]

That has made me realise I have never set the date and time on my finger prick meter. So although I have more than 6 weeks of data, if could be difficult to prove I was fit to drive at the time of the accident.

Every single time the clocks change someone makes a joke about the time on their meter always being wrong and I always try to bring up the driving point. How much easier it would be to use a meter with the correct date and time to prove you tested…

 

[dannybgoode]

I realise what they could ask but has anyone on the forum actually experienced it?
Does the average speed cop understand what BG level signifies fit to drive?

Why take the chance? If you happen to be the unlucky one who does get asked and you can't provide the relevant proof you could be in a lot of bother.

The rules are easy to comply with so better to do so than end up in trouble that could have been avoided.

 

[helli]

Why take the chance? If you happen to be the unlucky one who does get asked and you can't provide the relevant proof you could be in a lot of bother.

The rules are easy to comply with so better to do so than end up in trouble that could have been avoided.

I always comply and not suggesting anyone does otherwise.
I am curious to know what happens in practice rather than in theory

 

[dannybgoode]

I always comply and not suggesting anyone does otherwise.
I am curious to know what happens in practice rather than in theory

In practice rarely anything. But it could and it's not with the risk because the consequences could be severe.

My biggest fear with anything like this is having one of those accidents that would have happened anyway but because I hadn't followed 'the rules' it ended up being ruled my fault.

 

[helli]

Every single time the clocks change someone makes a joke about the time on their meter always being wrong and I always try to bring up the driving point. How much easier it would be to use a meter with the correct date and time to prove you tested…

Just because you remember to do these things does not mean it is at the forefront of everyone mind just in case they get pulled over when driving.
Everything else apart from my microwave auro corrects the time so daylight saving is not something pay much attention to with regards to changing clocks. With 21st century tech there shouldn't be a need to do anything.

Edited to add: last time I corrected the time on my meter, I discovered it keeps terrible time and it was out by nearly an hour next time the clocks changed. It cannot be relied on to be accurate if I did remember or heeded @Lucyr 's suggestion.

 

[Lucyr]

Just because you remember to do these things does not mean it is at the forefront of everyone mind just in case they get pulled over when driving.

That’s why I said I try to remind anyone that says their time is wrong. Eg now you know yours is wrong you’ll fix it then it’s sorted.

 

[nonethewiser]

I realise what they could ask but has anyone on the forum actually experienced it?
Does the average speed cop understand what BG level signifies fit to drive?

Never ever, been breathalysed & stopped fair few times in my youth but never been asked for a bg reading, tbh they've never queried why licence is restricted to 3 years either,.