DIABETES AND DRIVING
In patients who are treated with insulin or sulphonylurea drugs, the main potential danger of diabetes and driving is the possibility of hypoglycaemia. In order to avoid hypoglycaemia these patients should be advised:
- To always carry fast acting carbohydrate food in the car, e.g. glucose tablets or lucozade.
- Not to drive for more than 2 hours without eating a snack.
- Not to miss or delay a meal or snack.
- To check blood glucose before and during a journey.
- To carry identification and information on their usual diabetes treatment.
If symptoms of hypoglycaemia occur, patients should be advised to:
- Stop driving as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Immediately take a glucose drink or glucose tablets and follow this by taking a longer acting carbohydrate, e.g. a digestive biscuit.
- Remove the ignition key and move into the passenger seat to avoid any suggestion that the patient is in charge of the car.
- Not drive for 40 minutes after blood sugars have been corrected. Studies have shown that cognitive function does not recover fully until this time.
Diabetic drivers should know that if they have an accident attributable to hypoglycaemia they render themselves liable to the charge of driving under the influence of drugs.
Patients should also be advised to abstain completely from alcohol when driving.
CAR INSURANCE
Diabetes must be disclosed either at the start of a new policy or at the time of diagnosis.
For car insurance to be valid, the patient must inform their insurance company as soon as they develop diabetes. This is required whether patients are treated with a diet only, tablets or insulin. It is always worth shopping around for quotes from a number of insurers, as there can be a big difference in premiums. Some companies may refuse cover, impose special terms or an increased premium if their statistics show drivers with diabetes to be at a higher risk. If this happens, it is worth advising the patient to challenge the insurer, especially if their diabetes is well controlled.
Diabetes UK services have a motor insurance quote line on Freephone 0800 731431. Although these insurers are very sympathetic to people with diabetes, they cannot be guaranteed to be the cheapest in every case.
For further information, contact:
Diabetes UK Central Office Tel 0207 4241000 (London switchboard ask for careline)
Diabetes UK Careline, Tel no: 0207 4241030, www.diabetes.org.uk
Visual Standards
Visual standards relating to driving are those applied generally. The patient should be able to read a number plate (7.9cm) at a distance of 20.5 metres and have a visual field of at least 120 in the horizontal axis and at least 20 in the vertical axis. This approximates to an equivalent Snellen Chart corrected acuity of 6/12. If in doubt, refer to the Ophthalmology Clinic requesting formal assessment.
Driving after Instillation of Tropicamide Drops
Patients should be advised not to drive for a minimum of 4 hours afterwards due to a reduction in visual acuity following pupillary dilatation. This advice applies regardless of weather conditions and sunglasses will not improve the situation.
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