Testing before driving...

JediSkipdogg · #1 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 12:06 PM

Here is why testing your BG before driving is important.

Today we had a call, well, numerous calls, on a blue Chevy SUV into a ditch on the side of the roadway. Our immediate thoughts were a drunk person. Callers stated that no one was around the vehicle but the driver's door was open.

We responded with numerous officers to attempt to locate the person, fearing he/she may be in the woods. We ran the license plate and found out it came back to a local address in the same neighborhood as the vehicle was. We responded to that address and found the owner and he said that he was unsure how his vehicle got in the ditch. But he thought he should walk home and call his insurance and a tow truck to remove his vehicle.

We asked him if he had been drinking and he denied any drinking. We noticed on his driver's license at one point he was under a medical suspension (about 2 years ago) so we asked him about that. He stated he was a diabetic and he offered to check his BG in front of the officers. He checked it and it came back 85. The officers asked me over the radio how that was and I stated it was in the low normal range and that if he drank anything with sugar he could possibly be 85 by now. He also advised that he has to renew his license every year with medical notations saying it's ok, and one year he forgot to provide the medical clearance and therefore he received a 3 month suspension.

The officers took the accident report and put that they believed it was a diabetic related accident. Therefore he now risks having his license suspended again. The vehicle was probably about 50 feet into the woods and down a 30 degree ditch.

So my word to everyone today is to please test before operating a motor vehicle. The subject in the above could have been you. And that ditch may have been one wihtout trees to stop you. Or you could hit another vehicle. Be safe before you drive.

gettingby · #2 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 12:46 PM

Here Here Jedi !!!!!!! Thanks for posting this reminder to everyone on here.
You may think "It will never happen to me". Well, when you start thinking like that, life comes back and bites you in the butt and lets you know that it COULD HAPPEN. I've not had it happen (knock on wood) but I do make sure I check before driving.

Sarmar7 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 12:49 PM

YES you've certainly convinced me in your last post when you answered me! I will always test before I drive now and this just proves it again.

gettingby · #4 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarmar7

YES you've certainly convinced me in your last post when you answered me! I will always test before I drive now and this just proves it again.

That's wonderful Sarmar7

. Alot of times things I say to people come out sounding like I'm bullying when in actuality, I'm not. I would be the last one to do that. I just give advice, when asked, that is based on almost 22 years experience. Most of the time, it's a "been there, done that" situation that I would never want anyone else to experience if it can be prevented.

Sarmar7 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 12:59 PM

I would much rather be given the advice as most of you have much more experience than me. It really shocked me that day as I am so anti drink driving etc. and I put myself and everyone else in such a dangerous position. So keep up the good work!

Cinnabon · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 12:59 PM

Your are 150% right, JEDI!!!

klpants · #7 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 02:04 PM

Most definatley! As a motorcyclist I (and others on the fourm?) really need to test before riding, so much more vulnerable on a motorcycle.

lelggren · #8 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 04:40 PM

Thanks for posting this Jedi! It is so important!! There are many diabetics out there who don't take care before heading onto the roadways, and frankly, some states are cracking down on diabetic drivers because of the all too often cases of unsafe driving bg #'s. So, let's just make a better name for the diabetic driver by testing first, and then not driving if we are too low or too high to do so!

BriOnH · #9 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klpants

Most definatley! As a motorcyclist I (and others on the fourm?) really need to test before riding, so much more vulnerable on a motorcycle.

Yup! Been riding motorcycles since I was a kid. Have a BMW 650 FGS right now and am DROOLING over the new BMW Enduro. It can be bothersome not being able to test while riding from point a to b (wo pulling over, i can get away with it though at some stop lights if I really need assuarance), but I LOVE it. This and long runs are what I want the Gaurdian RT for. I always test before driving any vehicle, and like to be no less then 100 before driving in a car, no less then 120 on a motorcycle.

I knew a diabetic aquantance when I was 14 (our mothers were friends) who went into a reaction while driving, hit a biker (bicyclist) and drug him over 15 yards under the car. The bicyclist actually walked away with only some cuts and bruises, but Tyler (I believe his name was) did not have any identification as to being a diabetic. He went into grand mal seizures in back of the police car and almost lost his life, and almost took anothers with him. Scary stuff.

Shotokan · #10 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 09:49 PM

Another good reason to test before you drive is to "prove" that your blood sugar was normal when you got in the car, if your meter has a memory and the date and time are correct. Granted, the meter or test strip could give a bad reading, but at least if you do get in an accident you can convince others that you were not negligent.

2sweet4now · #11 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 12:07 AM

I'm convinced! Used to test before driving back when I was first diagnosed, will start doing it again - permanently!

Thanks for the posting!

TvBabe · #12 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 01:07 AM

Since I am so hypo unaware I ALWAYS test before driving!

klpants · #13 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 02:47 AM

QUOTE=BriOnH] This and long runs are what I want the Gaurdian RT for. I always test before driving any vehicle, and like to be no less then 100 before driving in a car, no less then 120 on a motorcycle.

Oh yes BriOnH, the CGM would be ideal when riding, I tend to get high blood sugars after riding motorcycles, think from the adrenalin rush!! Me, I'm into Japanese race reps, just bought a CBR 600.

It's too easy to get into the car and think "oh I'll be okay, I'm only going to the store" but on a bike, very diffuclt to ride when either low or high.......

Just think, testing takes what, 5-10 seconds? (dep on metre) but an accident could cost your whole life.......

UpNorth · #14 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 10:36 AM

I always test before driving

and if it's a longer drive i test while driving too- without stopping haha i will stop if it is a lot of traffic on the road though

SugaryOne · #15 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 11:55 PM

As a teenager on my way to getting my driver's license, my doctor has let me know clearly that I need to have a test kit and low treatment in the car with me at all times when I am driving.

Long trips will not be a big issue for me, my main problem is nervousness and confusing it with a low.