Diabetes and Driving

Question 1

What is Type 1 Diabetes

Answer 1

Deficient in Insulin Secretion

Question 2

What is Type 2 Diabetes

Answer 2

Resistant to the Action of Insulin

Question 3

What do Group 1 drivers (normal) need to have in order to be able to drive

Answer 3

• must have awareness of hypoglycaemia
• no more than 1 episode of severe hypoglycaemia while awake in 12 months

Question 4

What do Group 2 drivers (Heavy goods) need to have in order to be able to drive

Answer 4

• must report all hypoglycaemia episodes where they need help
• full awareness of hypoglycaemia
• no episodes of severe hypoglycaemia in less than 12 months
• must use blood glucose reader that stores up to 3 months of readings
• must stop and notify if visual complications arise

Question 5

What should the blood glucose of a Insulin taking Diabetic be before and during a drive

Answer 5

5mmol/L

if it fall below 5 have a snack

Question 6

What do Insulin taking Diabetics need to have with them when driving

Answer 6

• BG monitor and testing strips
• fast acting glucose/carbohydrate

Question 7

When do you need to measure blood glucose as an Insulin taking Diabetics when driving

Answer 7

• Within 2 hours before
• Every 2 hours after starting

Question 8

What should you do if your blood glucose fall below 5 when checking while driving

Answer 8

• have a snack
• wait until BG goes back to normal
• wait 45 minutes after it is normal then drive again