How does diabetes affect driving?
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) can impair your concentration and increase the risk of accidents while driving. Severe hypoglycaemia can cause you to lose consciousness. You may be at risk of hypoglycaemia if you are on insulin injections or taking oral tablets that lower blood sugar (e.g., sulfonylureas and repaglinide).
High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) can also affect your driving, causing you to feel tired and unwell. It may also impair your vision.
Most people with diabetes who have stable blood sugar levels can drive safely. Do check with your doctor if you are fit to drive.
You should not drive if you: - Have had severe hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) in the past 12 months
- Have hypoglycaemia unawareness (difficulty recognising the early signs of low blood sugar)
- Have experienced a hypoglycaemia episode while driving
- Have problems with your vision that cannot be corrected with glasses
- Have numbness or weakness in your limbs
- Have taken alcohol or medication that can cause drowsiness
As the above list is not exhaustive, do check with your doctor to ensure you are fit to drive.
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Tips for driving safely with diabetes
- Carry some form of identification and a Medik Awas card in case of an emergency.
- Have a glucometer with you. Protect the glucometer and test strips from high temperatures and direct sunlight. Do not leave your glucometer and test strips in a hot car.
- If you are on a medication that can cause low blood sugar -
- Store quick-acting and slow-acting carbohydrates in your vehicle to manage hypoglycaemia.
Examples of quick-acting carbohydrates include a tetrapack or can of sugar-sweetened drink, soft sweets or glucose tablets. Slow-acting carbohydrates can be biscuits or a cereal bar.
- Check blood sugar levels before starting to drive.
If your blood sugar levels are between 4 to 5 mmol/L, take 15g of slow-acting carbohydrates such as three pieces of biscuits or a cereal bar before starting to drive. Do not drive if your blood sugar level is less than 5 mmol/L. Ensure that glucose levels are more than 5 mmol/L before driving.
- Do not skip meals or delay meals.
- If you are driving long distances, take a break and check your blood sugar levels every two hours. You may need a snack every two hours to maintain blood sugar levels.
- Do not drink and drive.
- Do not drive if you are on medications that can cause drowsiness.
What should I do if low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) occurs while driving?
- Learn to recognise the symptoms of low blood sugar.
- Stop your car in a safe place as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar.
- Switch off the engine, remove the ignition key, and move to the passenger seat. Inform your passengers that you are experiencing low blood sugar.
- Take 15g of quick-acting carbohydrates (e.g. one can [320ml] of regular soft drink [non-diet] or six to seven soft sweets [not sugar-free]).
- Check your blood sugar 15 minutes later.
- Consume some slow-acting carbohydrate (e.g. 3 biscuits, cereal bar or 1 slice of bread).
- Get help if your blood glucose is persistently < 4 mmol/L.
- Do not resume driving until 30 to 45 minutes later, ensuring that all symptoms have resolved and your blood sugar levels are stable and above 5 mmol/L.
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