with diabetes is in question, the ADA
recommends an individual assessment and notes that, by and large,
most people with diabetes operate
vehicles safely.
Automotive Science
Research suggests that people with
diabetes have between a 12 and 19
percent increased risk of having an
accident relative to those without
the disease, though results have been
mixed. To put that into perspective,
among all motorists, driving at 1 a.m.
on a Sunday increases the risk of an
accident by 14,200 percent compared
with driving at 11 a.m. “If society
thinks [allowing people to drive in
the wee hours] is an acceptable risk,”
Lorber contends, then targeting people with diabetes seems unfair.
The likely cause of the increased
risk of driving with diabetes is low
blood glucose. There is just one study
that found that severe hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) can hamper driving skills. Daniel Cox, PhD,
of the University of Virginia studies
By and
large, most
people with
diabetes
operate
a vehicle
safely.
the e;ects of hypoglycemia on driving ability in his laboratory using a
simulator. He has found that moderate hypoglycemia impairs driving
safety and judgment, which may
make it more di;cult for drivers to
know when they need to self-treat.
Smart
Cars
Happy Trails
While hypoglycemia can increase the
risk of an accident, there are e;ective
ways to lessen this risk so that people
with diabetes can stay on the road and
stay safe (“Safety Tips,” right). Cox is
currently enrolling people with type; 1
for an Internet program to identify
people at high risk for accidents and
reduce that risk through education.
For more information and to enroll,
go to
www.diabetesdriving.com.
A CAR THAT CAN alert drivers of low blood glucose levels
sounds like science fiction, but a prototype already exists. The technology
is based on Ford’s Sync system, which enables users to access their phones,
control music, or interact with other Bluetooth-enabled devices wirelessly
through voice commands. The prototype designers enabled Sync to tap
into Medtronic’s continuous glucose monitor, so the car could literally tell
a driver what was going on with his or her blood glucose as it rolled on
down the road. It’s not clear when or if the product may come to market.
Safety Tips
If you are on insulin or are prone to lows, check blood glucose before getting behind the wheel, even if you wear a
continuous glucose monitor. “Even
though I’m wearing the [CGM] sensor,
there’s a 20-minute delay,” says
Emily Stunek, 22, of Moorhead, Minn.
“Because blood glucose fluctuates so
fast, you can’t rely on the sensor.”
; Keep fast-acting glucose products,
such as tablets and gel, at hand.
; If it becomes difficult to see or
you experience any symptoms
of low blood glucose, pull over
as soon as safely possible and
treat immediately.
; If blood glucose seems to be
dropping, have something to
eat even if you’re still in the
normal range.
; For a long road trip, plan out your
stops along the way in advance.
; When driving long distances,
pull over and check blood glucose
every one to two hours, even if
you wear a CGM. “The vibrations
and fatigue from driving a car
can disguise my symptoms of a
low, such as that hollow stomach
feeling or tiredness,” says
Forecast Editorial Director
Kelly Rawlings, who has driven
with type 1 for 27 years.
; Pack your own road food if
you’re not sure when you’ll find
a location to eat a meal. “I’m a
huge snacker when I drive,” says
Stunek. “Instead of eating gas
station junk food, I can bring
carrots and then not have to
worry about insulin adjustments.”
