Hypoglycaemia and driving in people with insulin‐treated diabetes: adherence to recommendations for avoidance

Abstract

Compliance with statutory requirements to inform the licensing authority and motor insurer is good, and drivers' perceptions of the minimum safe blood glucose level for driving are encouraging. However, most drivers rely on symptoms to detect hypoglycaemia while driving, and seldom test blood glucose before driving. Patient education should emphasize the role of blood glucose monitoring in relation to driving, and highlight the potential deterioration in driving performance when blood glucose falls below 4.0 mmol/l.

Diabetes mellitus and driving a motor vehicle

“…• не останавливаю транспортное средство, если во время вождения у меня развивается гипогликемия; • убежден/а, что минимальный уровень глюкозы крови для безопасного вождения может быть менее 3,0 ммоль/л [20]. Большая часть водителей, отметивших, что не из-меряют уровень глюкозы крови перед поездкой, кроме того, имели нарушенную чувствительность к гипогли-кемиям.…”

Driving and diabetes: are the changes in the European Union licensing regulations fit for purpose?

“…18 This suggests that driving accidents associated with this clinical problem are relatively uncommon. This may be a consequence of more frequent blood glucose monitoring by drivers who have some degree of impaired awareness, 2 or their voluntary cessation of driving when loss of awareness becomes severe. Reduction in length of time of revocation of a driving licence from 12 to 3 months The most powerful factor for predicting the risk of severe hypoglycaemia is a history of severe hypoglycaemia, as was shown in the 30-year analysis of the DCCT/EDIC data.…”

“…One survey of drivers with insulin-treated diabetes suggested that 13% had experienced hypoglycaemia while driving during the preceding year. 2 …”

“…A more recent study of people in the UK with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylurea or insulin therapy suggested some improvement, with 18% and 6% reporting never testing before driving although only 22% tested before every journey. 2,32 Are healthcare professionals aware of the regulations regarding diabetes and driving?…”

License to Drive: Type 1 Diabetes Management and Obtaining a Learner's Permit in Maryland and Virginia

“…7 However, research suggests that as few as 15% of adults routinely perform SMBG before driving. 15,16 As a large tertiary diabetes care center in the mid-Atlantic, our practice is uniquely poised to evaluate associations among state-directed driver's license requirements, physician involvement, and type 1 diabetes control. We routinely see adolescent patients in the Washington, D.C., metro area, including patients from Maryland and Northern Virginia.…”