Thread: Diabetes and driving

I know a guy who has epilepsy and used to drive buses! Morally bankrupt, but hey he made a few extra bucks while risking dozens of peoples lives! So it's amazing what people can get away with, until something goes wrong. Pro'ly harder nowadays with computer data base cross referencing.

I have to have 3 monthly Hba1c tests. If my blood sugar averages are too high, I can lose my heavy vehicle license .
When first diagnosed with diabetes type 2, I had to see a specialist and get put on a care plan. That plan is now monitored by my GP. Blood sugar has actually been in the mid to high 5s since I lost 10 kgs and stopped eating crap like fast food, bread and potatoes.

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

I have some neuropathy but am safe to drive. Probably the " elderly part" also had something to do with it.if feet don't operate then hand controls can be fitted to vehicles just like other disabled people with other conditions use.
They say diabetes is on the increase, I wonder how many actually have told their licence authorities.

Details aside, replace the 'side-swiped car' with a 'mother and pram' or the brick wall he plowed thru with someones living room, and the risks become quite clear. I'm sure there'd be cases where accidents due to known medical impairments have led to harsher penalties in vehicular manslaughter cases.
So yes, education is needed (and the RMS/RTA or road authority seem to have this sorted out from a procedural perspective)
But people also need to not take the **** when they are impaired- to any extent. Get the medicals done professionally and properly. Simply having a blood sugar monitoring plan in place won't reverse diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), and at least having some kind of functional testing would be a bloody good idea, if it is not done already.

More most people driving with diabetes it is not the diabetes itself that is the issue for most people. It is the management regime that is the problem where people have a hypo and loose consciousness due to low blood glucose levels - usually caused by taking too much insulin for the bodies needs - or more likely missing a meal after taking insulin.

It is only in more advanced diabetes that the results may impact driving - such as loosing eyesight or even diabetic coma but if the latter driving will be stopped well before as you would be hospitalised.

Garry

Going by the list of reportable Conditions and Medications that must be reported i would say that most drivers are not aware of them , i certainly wasnt untill after reading this thread and doing a check . I have been wearing specs for about 30yrs and i should have notified the the licencing dept .

The problem of not reporting could have dior results with insurance and liability in the event of a bad outcome as ignorance is no excuse as they say , will now get mine up to date .

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Details aside, replace the 'side-swiped car' with a 'mother and pram' or the brick wall he plowed thru with someones living room, and the risks become quite clear. I'm sure there'd be cases where accidents due to known medical impairments have led to harsher penalties in vehicular manslaughter cases.
So yes, education is needed (and the RMS/RTA or road authority seem to have this sorted out from a procedural perspective)
But people also need to not take the **** when they are impaired- to any extent. Get the medicals done professionally and properly. Simply having a blood sugar monitoring plan in place won't reverse diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), and at least having some kind of functional testing would be a bloody good idea, if it is not done already.

Your right about education. I was not aware of advising licencing until I was in Hospital. I mentioned this to my Endo I saw privately who charges big money and got the answer " I forgot to mention that. "
Same Endo said I could reuse my needles a couple of times, same Endo said I could inject through my clothes, same endo said I could take my insulin within 1/2 of eating my meal if I was out and not finding a suitable place to inject, even though part of the insulin mix was was fast acting. When i mentioned this to other medicos they were shocked. Hence I sacked him and am now more educated on the matter as I am getting the correct info.

Originally Posted by Fatso

Going by the list of reportable Conditions and Medications that must be reported i would say that most drivers are not aware of them , i certainly wasnt untill after reading this thread and doing a check . I have been wearing specs for about 30yrs and i should have notified the the licencing dept .

The problem of not reporting could have dior results with insurance and liability in the event of a bad outcome as ignorance is no excuse as they say , will now get mine up to date .

I assume you can pass the eye test when you get your license re-newed?? If this is the case than i though you don’t need to declare and if you choose to wear glasses than that’s OK.

Originally Posted by donh54

since I lost 10 kgs and stopped eating crap like fast food, bread and potatoes.

Weight loss is good, I have lost 9 kilos since recent illness, but I think it's not fat but muscle weight in my case. The medicos are trying to get things working again in my muscles.