Driving and Diabetes

Anne Maguire, a Partner and Personal Injury specialist, looks at guidelines that people with diabetes should be aware of to ensure their safety and the safety of other road users when driving.

Road Traffic Accidents are often caused by clear driver error – a driver simply failing to stop in time or mis-judging an overtaking manoeuvre, but sometimes there does not appear to be any obvious explanation for a driver losing control of his vehicle.

Unfortunately medical conditions such as diabetes – “the Silent Assassin” – can cause problems when driving if uncontrolled. In 2008 there were 2.3 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the United Kingdom with a further 500,000 unaware that they were living with the condition according to the Diabetic UK (Beware the Silent Assassin) Report 2008.

So what do you need to know about driving if you have diabetes?

The Government has issued guidelines about safe driving with diabetes, encouraging drivers to check blood glucose levels before driving, not driving if the blood sugar is less than 5mmols, being prepared for long journeys and/or traffic delays by carrying a fast acting glucose supply and checking blood glucose every 2 hours. Failure to do this can cause a “hypoglycaemic episode” or “hypo” resulting in confusion, dizziness and lack of co-ordination with serious/fatal consequences for the driver and other road users.

Prosecutions and civil claims have been successful in situations where uncontrolled diabetes has been the cause of road traffic accident.

We all have a responsibility to take care for the safety of other road users whether by, not drinking or driving or ensuring that with diabetes we are safe to drive. Don’t let the “Silent Assassin” be a killer.

To discuss the issues raised in this article or indeed any matter concerning a personal injury claim please contact Anne Maguire by email or call us on 01908 692769.