[Spbeyond]

BBC NEWS | Health | Diabetes 'is no extra road risk'
Study results dont lie.... Sometimes

[Tattoo azz]

yea
The results may prove that we are no more of a risk behind the wheel than anyone else, but the DVLA will never change their opinion that we MUST have a medical evry 3 years but strangely people who don't have a lifelong illness can go for their whole lives and not have a medical. Surely having a driving license is not a right but a privelege? If you go by the latter then surely ANYONE with a license should HAVE to pass a medical every 10 years.

[fgummett]

Here are the Guidelines from the Canadian Diabetes Association...

and when I contacted the Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles I received this reply:

"Thank you for your email enquiry...concerning regulations regarding reporting of a medical condition.

In response to your email, I offer the following.

There is no legislation that specifically requires a person diagnosed with diabetes to advise the Registry of Motor Vehicles of their condition, however, the Registry of Motor Vehicles may request whatever information that is required, including medical information, at any time.
Currently, there are several situations when the Registrar requires medical information be provided:
1) whenever a person first obtains a drivers licence or renews a drivers licence;
2) whenever a person upgrades their license to a class higher than a class 5 operators licence;
3) whenever the Registrar has received information indicating that a person may have a medical related situation which may impact their ability to operate a motor vehicle.

If you require any further information regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me either by email(RMV@gov.ns.ca)...
or by telephone at 1-800-898-7668 or 902-424-5851."

Ever have the feeling that you were a born driver..?

[volleyball]

You should have said wife, ex- wives, girlfriends and mistresses.

In the UK having government licence and government health dept. there is bound to be some controversy as to who wins out.
The problem with their stats are they are talking about all accidents.
Problem is lorry drivers kinda fall into that category as pilots, captains and train engineers, they are in control of something much bigger than a smart car and can do lot of damage and personal injury.
Before my diagnoses, I tended to drift off about 2 pm after a carb laden lunch. Worst damage was personal whiplash or a bump on the head as it hit the desk. Glad I was not driving a big rig.
I think the ADA should use their clout and come up with a good plan to take care of truck drivers. Sponsor exercise areas. better food and education at truck stops across the country.

[Janlaton]

Well, I still have a license to drive but choose not to thanks to black outs. WHy blackouts? well they come from diabetic neuropathy of the cardiovascular nerves. Is that enough of a mouthful. At one time I kept thinking "I'll go 6 months without a black out and go back to driving" now I have accepted the fact that my days behind the wheel are over unless I am out with someone and they need help getting home.

I choose not to drive because if I were to black out; have a wreck and kill some one and I were to live the guilt would kill me. (I know that is a run on sentence.) The chances of me blacking out are more than the average cause the nerves forget to tell my heart to beat!

[Spbeyond]

I have never even come close to a blackout. So I feel im safe. I feel I would be a safe pilot to, (expecially because during any critical point and 99% of any flight there would be another pilot there.) I know that is contriversial but knowing my own situation and have actualy been a pilot I think I would have been fine continuing. NO blackouts. Never even close. Never have been low enought to impare thought processes or motor function. I always know well ahead of time if my BS is going low. I can start to feel low in the high 70's to low 80's. Anyway, I know I will probably be flamed for that.

[notme]

So far I do not report diabetes to DMV nor do I blackout from low blood sugar. If I ever did, it probably would be reported for me.

I went low today while I was out. Sat in the parking lot, ate Starbursts and went on about my business without trouble. My Dad is more of a danger as he is 85 and his reflexes are not what they used to be.

It should be up to the individual to know if they are a danger behind the wheel. Sadly, some won't admit it and it makes us all look bad.

[Janlaton]

I agree, with the individual issues. My mother had been in a nursing home over 5 years with Alzheimers, had not known who I was in 10 yrs when she died but she still had a valid NC drivers license! Glad I was not in a car with her!!!!

[Simon]

In the UK a diabetic on insulin can drive up to 7.5 tonne lorries and fly light aircraft providing the number of passengers does not exceed 5(ish). The paperwork is another matter...

[art]

Here in sunny Florida if you are insulin dependent, and you disclose it, that fact will be put on your drivers license.

If you go low it will tell the cops you're not drunk. At least I hope it does.

Art

[shiftzor]

I think that is testament to the UK diabetic drivers, as a driver myself I still take extra precautions when I drive. Shouldn’t be complacent about these things, life is too short.

[Janlaton]

shiftzor you are so right. We all need to take extra precautions with our lives and if we have any idea we may be endangering those of others.