Introduction

If you drive after taking drugs, your ability to drive may be impaired and your reactions could be slower. Amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy are just some examples of illegal drugs known to cause impairment.

Driving under the influence of a drug (including any side effect) is illegal and is controlled by two offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988, Driving in excess of a specified limit for certain drugs specified in regulations and Driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

The current UK law defines a drug as ‘any intoxicant other than alcohol’. This includes illegal drugs such as cannabis but also prescribed medicines and over-the-counter medicines. This is because a driver who is impaired through any drug is at risk of having an accident. Drug driving is considered to be as serious as drink driving, and the penalties are the same.

How drugs affect driving

Drugs affect your ability to drive in many ways. For example, you may experience:

• slower reaction times


• erratic (unpredictable) and aggressive behaviour


• poor concentration


• distorted perception (false sense of awareness and understanding of, for example, distances) 


• poor co-ordination


• blurred vision


• overconfidence that leads to you taking unnecessary risks


• nausea (feeling sick)


• hallucinations (seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not real)


• panic attacks


• paranoia (being suspicious of people and situations)


• tremors or shaking


• dizziness


• tiredness, which can be severe, and sometimes the following day

The effects can vary according to the individual person, drug type, dosage, the length of time the drug stays in your body, or if the drug has been taken with other drugs or alcohol. The effects can last for hours or days.

Police roadside tests

The police can carry out tests at the roadside to check if a driver is above the specified limit for certain specified drugs and also test to help the officer decide if the driver is impaired.. Refusing to take the tests is an offence and the driver can be arrested in the same way that failure to provide a breath test when under suspicion of drink driving is. For more information, see Is there a police test for drug driving?

What happens if I’m caught?

If you’re found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs, the penalties are the same as for drink driving. You will receive:

• a minimum 1 year driving ban


• a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison or both


• a criminal record

A conviction for drug driving is shown on your driving licence for 11 years. If you drive for work, your employer will see the conviction when you produce your licence.

Any drug-related conviction may cause problems visiting countries such as the US.

Medicines and driving

Medicines that can affect your ability to drive include:

• prescribed medicines, such as antihistamines or tranquillisers


• over-the-counter medicines, such as co-codamol

Medicines that can make you feel sleepy will carry a message saying: "Warning. May cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery".

Always ask your GP or pharmacist if your medication may affect your ability to drive. Also check:

• the medicine’s packaging


• the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine

You can find out which health conditions or medical treatments you may need to tell the DVLA about or you can call NHS 111 for advice.

If in doubt, don’t drive.

Read the answers to common health questions about alcohol, drugs and smoking.

Further information:

• How much alcohol can I drink before driving?


• How long does cannabis stay in the body after smoking?


• What should I do if I think someone has a drug problem?


• Alcohol misuse


• Are you fit to drive?


• Drugs and healthy living


• Medicines information


• Department for Transport: Think! Drug driving


• Talk to Frank

Categories: counter medicines, drink driving, Driving, Drug, drug driving, drugs, drugs affect, illegal drugs, prescribed medicines

Health Problems That May Affect Your Driving

 

 

Teen, elderly, and drunk drivers are often classified as the most dangerous drivers on the road; their inexperience, deteriorating health, and intoxication levels respectively make them more susceptible to distracted or reckless driving. But responsible drivers of all ages can be just as dangerous on the road if they have certain medical or health problems that compromise their reaction time or their ability to make proper judgments.

 

Here are a few health issues that may affect your driving.

 

 

Poor Vision

 

Poor vision is one of the most common and easily rectified driving hazards. Anyone, from teens with their learning permits to experienced adult drivers, can suffer from common myopia or hyperopia. In these cases, your driver’s license will indicate that you have a “corrective lens” restriction, and it will be illegal for you to drive without glasses or contact lens.

 

Other vision problems that might affect your ability drive safely include the following:

 

• Cataracts cloud the lens of your eye and result in blurry or double vision. It can be particularly difficult to see at night.


• Glaucoma is a common condition that destroys the optic nerve. This results in blurry vision or loss of peripheral vision, which is vital to safe driving. Fortunately, glaucoma can be corrected in most cases.


• Macular Degeneration affects millions of people over the age of 40. It attacks the retina, which leads to hazy vision, blind spots, and poor night vision.

 

If you have any of these conditions, consult with an optometrist. In most cases, these problems won’t stop you from holding a driver’s license unless they go untreated.

 

 

Mobility Problems

 

Elderly drivers are stereotypically more likely to suffer from restricted mobility that impairs their driving than younger drivers. That doesn’t mean that younger drivers can’t also suffer from mobility problems, of course, but they are more likely to have temporary issues like broken limbs or other injuries.

 

More permanent problems are not as easily resolved, and can severely affect your driving ability.

 

• Arthritis can make your joints swollen and stiff, which can limit how far and fast you can move your neck, shoulders, and hands. This slows your reaction time significantly and can make it difficult to grasp the steering wheel or apply pressure on the brake and gas pedals.

 

Your continued ability to drive will depend on how successfully your doctor can treat your condition.

 

• Chronic Pain in your joints, muscles, or back will reduce your reaction time. Dealing with chronic pain is distracting, and might take your attention off the road. Monitor your pain levels carefully, and speak with your doctor about ways to keep it under control.


• Other mobility issues can include hip and knee replacements, which are common among senior citizens. They can make it difficult to operate the gas and brake pedals as well as climb in and out of the car.

 

 

Mental Acuity

 

If a loved one is starting to struggle with memory or mental alertness, monitor their driving carefully. Lack of attention or distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and older people are especially susceptible to confused driving if they suffer from dementia or memory loss. If a loved one with mental health problems does gets into an accident, contact an ICBC lawyer in Langley like Cristall Kenneth who can help you through the emotional and physical stress.

 

• Dementia affected approximately 35.6 million people were worldwide in 2010. It is an incredibly frustrating disease for the ill individual and family members. However, since dementia compromises memory, judgment, reasoning, and language skills, sharing a road with an affected person can be hazardous. And not only is it dangerous for other drivers, but the driver can become confused, distressed, and make minor driving errors that cause them stress and put their safety at risk.


• Medications can compromise your ability to drive. Whether it’s a prescription medication or Tylenol for a headache, be careful that any medicine you take does not affect your concentration or make you sleepy—fatigued driving is another leading cause of accidents in America.


• Strokes are also common in elderly drivers. Stroke victims can suffer from partial vision loss, memory problems, loss of sensation, and a slower reaction time. Driving for stroke victims is both difficult and unsafe.

 

In addition to mental difficulties, be careful that you are in an emotionally safe place when you drive. Being extremely angry or upset can impair your ability to focus on the road and drivers around you, and will make driving more dangerous. Wait to drive until you are in an emotionally and mentally stable state.

 

 

Some health issues are out of your control, but be aware of how they affect your driving. If you notice that you or a loved one is having trouble driving safely, address and treat the problem with the help of a medical professional and keep the roads safe for you and everyone else.

 

Categories: affect, Driving, health, problems

Parenting Teens: 4 Ways to Discuss Drinking and Driving

As a parent, it is definitely your responsibility to discuss the issue of drinking and driving with your teenager. However, anyone who has ever had a teen understands it can be very difficult to get through to them, especially about topics relating to alcohol and drugs. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the best way to approach this topic so that your teenager actually keeps an open mind and listens to you instead of shutting down immediately. The following are some ways that can help when discussing this topic with your teen.

 

1. Make them Aware of the Legalities of this Crime 

Many teenage drivers assume that getting a DUI is not actually a very big deal because many celebrities are able to walk away from these incidents with nothing more than a legal slap on the wrist. Due to this, you will need to have facts in front of you that illustrate the actual penalties for an underage DUI in your state. For example, teenage drivers in Minnesota are held responsible to adhering to the state’s zero-tolerance laws.

 

This means that even half of a drink can cause them to get arrested and have their license taken away. Additionally, they could be facing a large fine and even time in a juvenile correction facility. If your teen gets arrested for a DUI, it would be good to contact a juvenile crimes lawyer such as Kevin W. DeVore, an experienced Minnesota defense attorney, to help them get an acquittal or a reduced sentence so that they do not end up paying for it for the rest of their life.

 

 

2. Tell Them a Personal Story 

If anyone in your life has ever gotten into trouble because of a DUI, you should strongly consider using their story to help your teen learn that drinking and driving is a real issue that can have serious consequences. In fact, letting your teenager speak to someone they know who has been convicted of a DUI could have a big impact on whether or not they will ever get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated.

 

 

3. Utilize News Stories about Teenagers 

It is common for teens to view themselves as almost a separate species from adults. Therefore, you will get much further with them if you use news that stories about teenagers who have gotten in trouble for a DUI in lieu of simply pointing out the dangers of drinking and driving. If possible, you should discuss a situation with them that involved a teen driver their age that either lost their life or killed someone as a result of driving under the influence.

 

 

4. Provide them with a Safety Plan 

It is unrealistic to assume that simply speaking to your teen about DUIs will prevent them from drinking. Because of this, you should strongly consider offering them a safety plan that includes being able to call for a ride home without getting into serious trouble.

 

It is very important for you to take every possible step to protect your teenager, but you also need to enable them to live a normal life. Therefore, discussing the danger of a DUI with them is critical, and you should also immediately retain legal representation if your teen is ever arrested for drinking and driving.

 

 

As a mother to 3 teens, Lisa Coleman understands and shares the importance of successfully discussing DUI with them, including the legalities that can occur. She recently read about how Kevin W. DeVore, a Minnesota criminal defense attorney, can legally help when a minor is faced with this kind of charge.

 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyaubryphotography/3106197156/

Categories: communicating, defense attorney, Drinking, Driving, DUI, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, parenting teens, teen, teenage drivers, teenager, Teenagers

Medically Unfit to Drive: Hanging up the Keys

 

Changes in your health can impact your life in many ways. From the food you eat to the activities you participate in, your medical fitness can have far-reaching implications on aspects of your life that you may not have considered. One of these is your ability to drive. Some medical diagnoses and even the addition of new medications can mean you need to think about hanging up your keys for good. But how do you determine when you’ve crossed the line from good driver to road menace? 

 

Moving Away From the Wheel: Factors to Consider

When you receive a new diagnosis or medication from your doctor, it’s important that you understand the full impact it can have on your life. While driving can make your ability to get around a lot easier, some medications and illnesses can make getting behind the wheel dangerous for yourself and others.

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a relationship has been found between increased crash risk and declines in vision, hearing, and reaction time, all of which can be brought on by various medical conditions. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if you’re not fit to continue being on the road. 

1) Are you currently diagnosed with a neurological disorder?

As people go through the stages of life, neurological disorders such as strokes or Alzheimer’s Disease can become more prevalent. Currently, strokes are the third leading cause of death for Americans, and it’s effects can greatly impact your ability to drive. Be sure to discuss your condition with your doctor, who can do a full assessment to ascertain if you’re mentally competent enough to drive.

 

2) Does your illness or medication cause any vision issues?

Although getting a vision test is the norm for getting and keeping your driver’s license, vision problems can pop up between tests, thus putting your driving ability at serious risk. Additionally, some medications can cause dizziness or blurred vision, making driving on more dangerous roads such as a mountainous region like Denver a huge risk.

 

3) Are you suffering or recently diagnosed with a joint or movement-related disorder?

It may come as a surprise to some that movement-related issues could pose a problem to drivers. After all, you’re probably driving to avoid having to move too much. However, simple tasks such as turning around to park, being mobile enough to turn the wheel or even using a stick shift can be greatly compromised by mobility issues.

 

4) Are you taking multiple medications?

Medication interaction is a serious issue for drivers across the United States, and the wrong combination of medications can make you as dangerous as a drunk driver. One Denver car accident attorney states that ”a driver who is improperly medicated is a driving menace. Both your doctor and your pharmacist can advise you on any of your medications and how they might affect your abilities. Additionally, be aware that the effects of some medications can be severely heightened with the use of alcohol.

 

Keeping both you and your passengers safe while driving may always have been a priority for you. However, a new diagnosis or medication can greatly jeopardize your safety on the road. Get to know your medication and how it affects you before getting behind the wheel and ensure you discuss your condition with your doctor. The more information you have the more likely you will keep your road journeys safe.

Writer Melanie Fleury has a father who is on several medications that affect his motor skills. He has to remain very diligent about knowing the side effects of each medication before attempting to operate a vehicle. She hopes that others in the same position take the same care to be mindful of what their body can and cannot do. She used the blog of a Denver car accident attorney to learn more about the consequences of driving when medically unfit.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianteutsch/43051087/

Categories: accident attorney, car accident, denver car, drive, Driving, medically, medically unfit, medication, Medications, movement related, nbsp, unfit

Safe Driving: Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

If you’re an American, you’re part of a very stressful culture. In general, Americans work hard, then they work harder, and if there’s any time left at the end of the day, they are usually stressing about the next day of hard work that is to come. This income-centric society is great for producing thriving businesses, but when it comes to health, many people are finding that burning the candle at both ends is coming back to bite them.

Driving while drowsy causes many accidents each year. In fact, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a study in and around the Raleigh,NC area studying the reasons people have drowsy driving crashes. They found that our internal clocks prompt us to get drowsy during the mid day, even when we have slept well the night before. People who do not think they are tired may fall victim to this natural rhythm of sleep that hits between 2 and 4 pm each day. Up to 55% of drivers admitted that they had driven drowsy at some point. Sleeping, and knowing when you need to sleep, are vital to staying safe on the road. According to one Raleigh NC car accident lawyer, ”early morning hours are also dangerous as people are driving impaired and/or sleepy from a long day.

Tired Eyes are a Danger on Long Commutes

If you have a long commute to and from work, it’s very important that you get adequate sleep each night. For most adults, this means at least eight hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep. This is not always possible, but the closer you can come to it, the better. You may feel awake while driving, but your lack of proper sleep is affecting you whether you realize it or not. Being tired dramatically slows down your reaction time, and while this may not matter on a lucky day, on the day a car pulls out in front of you without checking, it could mean the difference between life and death. 

 

Tips to Get Better Sleep

If you’re stressed about work or some other aspect of your life, you have to try and put it out of your head before laying down for bed. You can help do this by taking a hot bath in the evening hours, watching a funny movie or getting lost in a book. Try to avoid spending time on the Internet right before you go to sleep, because this can remind you of deadlines, meetings and other issues that may weigh on your mind and get in the way of relaxation. If nothing else, remember that you can always worry about your problems tomorrow. Give yourself permission to take a break from what’s stressing you in favor of some much-needed rest.

 

 

Know When to Take a Break

Everyone has to work, but that doesn’t mean you should push yourself to get to work during a time you are truly exhausted. If you’ve been suffering from insomnia, dealing with an illness or have recently experienced a major loss, such as the death of a loved one, you should consider taking a few days off work to sleep and recuperate. Missing work can really set you back, but imagine what might happen if you push yourself too hard and end up wrecking your car. Not only could you set yourself back financially, but you could experience a life-altering injury or even death. Nothing is worth that.

 

 

Knowing when not to drive is a very important responsibility of any licensed driver. If someone has caused you personal injury while driving drowsy, you may have a case for compensation.

Writer Melanie Fleury has a sister who works grave shifts and often drives home exhausted. She hopes to provide readers, as well as her sister, with this information so that they can make better choices and not take unnecessary risks. The website of Auger & Auger attorneys at law, a Raleigh NC car accident lawyer , has many examples of car accidents that involve sleepy or otherwise impaired drivers.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spam/3183142921/

Categories: accident lawyer, car accident, Driving, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, nc car, raleigh nc, Safe, sleep, work

Hang Up The Phone! 5 Ways a Cell Phone Can Be Dangerous

Cell phones have made it much more convenient to stay in touch, and they also double as entertainment devices that enable us to surf the Internet, watch videos, take photographs and play games. However, it is important to note that using these devices is not risk-free. In fact, there are some issues associated with cell phone usage that are very dangerous, and this has caused some people to avoid using them. Fortunately, you can reduce your risk by being aware of the potential issues that your cell phone can cause because this will make it easier for you to take preventative measures.

 

The Top Five Dangers Associated with Cell Phone Usage

 

1) Distracted Driving - Multiple studies have conclusively proven that using a cell phone behind the wheel impacts the driver’s response time, and this can easily lead to an accident. Therefore, it is imperative to put the phone away while you are driving so that you do not end up injuring or killing yourself or another driver. Distracted driving can include, according to one car accident lawyer Chicago based, texting, navigation systems, eating, reading and more.

 

2) Legal Consequences - Several areas have anti-cell phone usage laws that enable police officers to pull drivers over for talking or texting while they are driving. If this happens to you, then you will be given a fine, and you might even have points added to your license. Additionally, your text messages and call history can be held against you during a civil or criminal case.

 

3) Cell Phone Elbow - According to the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, a medical condition known as cubital tunnel syndrome has begun impacting people who spend an excessive amount of time on the phone. Also known as cell phone elbow, this issue causes sufferers to deal with numbness, aching, tingling or a burning sensation in their hand and forearm.

 

4) Potential Link to Cancer - Advocate groups have been trying to convince people to avoid long-term exposure to cell phones for years, but little has been done to medically verify or dispute these claims. However, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has announced plans to launch a more thorough investigation into the potential link between cell phones and cancer. The results of this investigation might not be available for many years, so it is wise to carefully consider using a hands-free device in the interim just in case the concerns of advocate groups are validated.

 

5) Environmental Hazards - Did you throw away your last cell phone after you received the latest upgrade? If so, you exposed the environment to toxic materials and a long list of heavy metals such as beryllium, mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic, cadmium and antimony. Sadly, these materials can leak out of a landfill and end up hurting wildlife and contaminating the local water supply. To prevent this issue, you should always turn your old cell phones over to a company that recycles them.

 

As you can see, cell phones have the potential to cause serious and widespread problems. Therefore, you need to use them responsibly. For example, you should never text while you are driving, and it is also imperative to dispose of your cell phones properly through a recycling program.

 

 

Researcher Melanie Fleury is in fear of her preteen daughter getting a license because of how easily she is distracted by the cell phone. She writes this article in hopes that drivers will reconsider using a cell phone while driving. One car accident lawyer Chicago based encourages everyone involved in an accident with a distracted driver to call an attorney to determine whether or not they have a case.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonjon_2k8/340305918/

Categories: advocate groups, case nbsp, cell phone, cell phones, chicago based, Dangerous, distracted driving, Driving, lawyer chicago, phone usage, potential link

Panic Attacks: Who Suffers When Drivers Get Anxiety?

Panic attacks are basically feelings of intense anxiety or fear about something. In almost all cases, triggers of these attacks are unknown. However, they can start to occur as the result of a traumatic event such as any type of accident, assault and battery, loss, war or other situation. These attacks can occur and start at any time of day. They also usually begin without any notice and usually become more lengthy over time. When it comes to the already stressful activity of driving, panic attacks add a very dangerous element that can affect the safety of the driver, passengers, other motorists and the public. Symptoms of Panic Attacks generally reach a peak within a ten minute period and generally can include several of the following symptoms:

 

Sweating

Blurred vision

Shortness of breath

Chills or hot flushes

Shaking or trembling

Dizziness or feeling faint

Chest discomfort or pain

Heart racing or pounding

Abdominal distress or nausea

 

Unlike other situations, the consequences of a driver panic attack are far more dangerous, given the fact that vehicles are potentially lethal machines. Below are some of the most serious effects of having panic attacks while driving.

1. Accidents are the most disastrous of all consequences of panic attacks on the road. As one auto accident attorney in Miami Florida states, an accident can be financially, mentally, and physically devastating. Since they leave people confused and disoriented, people become incapable of driving safely.

As a result, it is easy for a vehicle to collide with another vehicle, stop suddenly and cause other accidents as a result. Because there is no warning, drivers, other motorists and passengers face immediate danger which could result in a painful and expensive accident, not to mention a fatality.

2. Medical bills and loss of work create financial circumstances that some people may never recover from. For instance, long term medical care or job loss can impact drivers, passengers and other individuals and families in devastating ways.

3. Once a vehicle accident occurs, the driver who had the panic attack and caused the accident will be subject to higher insurance rates. Sometimes, the rates have been increased such that it poses an extraordinary burden on their finances, increasing the likelihood of longer and more frequent panic attacks.

4. An inability to confront driving is another consequence of driver panic attacks. Once an attack occurs, a fear may develop that a panic attack may happen on the road, causing an accident or fatality. Therefore, people may start avoiding driving long distances, freeways or even at all. This not only can impact quality of life, but the ability to work and face personal, parental and familial obligations. When this much stress is placed upon a person’s family and friends, relationships can also rapidly deteriorate.

Ultimately, drivers who have panic attacks can easily put their friends, family, passengers and other motorists at risk. Much like other forms of distracted driving, the results of these types of accidents can last a lifetime and be devastating. Therefore, anyone who is suffering regular panic attacks should seek medical care and counseling to address the issue.

 

Rather than risk their lives and the lives of others, it is a good idea for panic sufferers to arrange for other forms of transportation such as car pooling or using public transportation until the episodes subside sufficiently.

Melanie Fleury is wife to a panic attack sufferer who has made the decision not to drive long distances so that an attack will not occur. She has also been the victim of a car accident and knows that hiring a lawyer, like auto accident attorney in Miami Florida Steinger, Iscoe, & Greene, can help relieve the stress of legal issues so that you are free to deal with physically and mentally reaching your ideal.

Categories: anxiety, Driving, Panic Attacks

Why Are Parents The Most Distracted Drivers?

From asking questions and bickering with their siblings, to little ones crying in the backseat, driving with children can be difficult at times. A study suggests that there could be more problems for parents to deal with than simply responding to the ‘are we there yet?’ question. The University of Michigan carried out a survey of more than 600 parents and questioned their most common driving distractions. Researchers asked whether, in the past month, they had talked on the phone, asked for directions, engaged in child-care or changed the entertainment system, such as changing a CD. They then asked how frequently the parents had done these things. The study showed that looking after children took up 25 percent of every trip – a worrying result.

Not all of the distractions mentioned were dangerous, as listening to the GPS or eating a snack won’t cause enough of a distraction to lead to any harm. But some are – texting and driving, for example, it extremely hazardous and can lead to a crash. In other words, anything which causes you to take your eyes off the road can cause a problem. Parents who used their phones whilst driving were more than twice as likely to have been involved in a car crash previously. Child care, self-care (such as grooming) or asking for directions also led to a doubled chance of a vehicle accident, and entertainment or texting increased the risk by as much as 11/2.

Parenthood brings with it a need for multitasking, but there are some situations which require your full attention. When you’re driving your children around, you should be 100 percent focused on what you’re doing. It’s easy to find the time to do these other tasks without them eating too much into your day – pull over to make a call, or wait until you stop driving if it isn’t urgent, for example. You can also make sure there are plenty of toys in the car to keep the children entertained during longer car journeys.

Why Are Parents The Most Distracted Drivers?

Categories: Children, Driving, Safety

Sufferers of type one diabetes will have to put a great deal of time and effort into maintaining their health and general wellness, a great deal of time and energy has to go into managing their condition as any slip ups could be potentially deadly. Unlike type two diabetes which can be managed with a regulated diet and regular exercise, type one sufferers have to take regular injections of insulin which in itself is a huge lifestyle alteration from the norm. The simplest things for the rest of us will require extra consideration for a type one diabetic and though, with the proper time and effort put in, there’s very little they can’t do they need to be constantly vigilant. One of the potential dangers of diabetes is hypoglycaemia which occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low. Hypoglycaemia can lead to all sorts of negative issues, the most serious of which are the diabetic coma and seizures. This can be a major issue if the diabetic in question is behind the wheel of a car as they could lose control of their vehicle and become a danger to themselves and everyone using the road at the same time. If you’re a sufferer of type one diabetes and you’re planning to take a road trip, or your simply worried about hypoglycaemia while driving your car during the day to day aspects of your life, then we’ve got good news for you! We’ve put together a great list of items which should be kept in your car at all times just in case of an emergency, with these items you’ll be able to get your blood sugar back under control without endangering yourself or anyone else! Make sure you have a source of sugar. This can be glucose tablets or hard sweets but make sure you’ve always got access to a good supply, a lot of doctors and other health professionals recommend keeping a source of sugar on your person at all times. A Blood Glucose Metre in your glove box could be a life saver as you’ll be able to monitor your blood-sugar levels on the fly! Keep a spare set of insulin and syringes in your car at all times so that even if you somehow manage to forget your shot, you’ll be prepared for anything! Type One diabetes and the dangers of the drive home

Sufferers of  type one diabetes will have to put a great deal of time and effort into maintaining their health and general wellness, a great deal of time and energy has to go into managing their condition as any slip ups could be potentially deadly. Unlike type two diabetes which can be managed with a regulated diet and regular exercise, type one sufferers have to take regular injections of insulin which in itself is a huge lifestyle alteration from the norm.

The simplest things for the rest of us will require extra consideration for a type one diabetic and though, with the proper time and effort put in, there’s very little they can’t do they need to be constantly vigilant. One of the potential dangers of diabetes is hypoglycaemia which occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low. Hypoglycaemia can lead to all sorts of negative issues, the most serious of which are the diabetic coma and seizures. This can be a major issue if the diabetic in question is behind the wheel of a car as they could lose control of their vehicle and become a danger to themselves and everyone using the road at the same time.

If you’re a sufferer of type one diabetes and you’re planning to take a road trip, or your simply worried about hypoglycaemia while driving your car during the day to day aspects of your life, then we’ve got good news for you! We’ve put together a great list of items which should be kept in your car at all times just in case of an emergency, with these items you’ll be able to get your blood sugar back under control without endangering yourself or anyone else!

 

1. Make sure you have a source of sugar. This can be glucose tablets or hard sweets but make sure you’ve always got access to a good supply, a lot of doctors and other health professionals recommend keeping a source of sugar on your person at all times.
2. A Blood Glucose Metre in your glove box could be a life saver as you’ll be able to monitor your blood-sugar levels on the fly!

Keep a spare set of insulin and syringes in your car at all times so that even if you somehow manage to forget your shot, you’ll be prepared for anything!

Type One diabetes and the dangers of the drive home

Categories: Diabetes, Driving, Information