A question about driving - is there an upper limit?

[Elc1112]

Good morning all,

I know that the DVLA says you should not drive if your sugars are below 4. Completely understand why they say this and agree 100%. Does anybody know, however, if there is an upper limit? I.e. You should not drive if your sugars are above x? If my sugars are high and I feel unwell then I will not drive. I was just wondering if there was an upper limit that anybody is aware of?

Em

Ps sorry about spelling. Small keys and big thumbs!

 

[Sanober]

Great question, I wondered about this because like you if I'm too high I avoid driving as it really affects my concentration. I don't think there;s an upper limit which is bizarre as high levels can really affect decision making.

 

[Elc1112]

My levels have to be very high to affect my concentration, but when you think how quickly DKA can take hold If your levels are high, I am suprised there isn't an upper limit. I don't think there is, but I want to make sure I'm not driving when the DVLA says I shouldn't be!

 

[Sheffield27]

Really interesting question...To the point I have just used my lunch break trying to find an answer I havent!

The main advice seems to be that its not advisable if you have high blood sugars but could not find definition of "high" anywhere. My thoughts would be that for Diabetics an untreated Hypo will end in the same result for everyone, low concentration levels, potentially passing out etc where as I guess Hypers cause different feelings for different people. Eg: a very well controlled diabetic may feel awful when sugars reach 11 or 12 where as for someone whose body has become accustomed to high sugars these levels may not have an impact.

I guess sensible answer is if you dont feel right for whatever reason dont drive but interms of insurance purposes etc no idea! :thumbup:

 

[Paul1976]

I don't know if it was simply an opinion or across the board information but I was told by a diabetes specialist nurse at hospital that I shouldn't drive if my BG was above 15mmol/l.

 

[hanadr]

Never heard of one
Hana

 

[noblehead]

Great question, I wondered about this because like you if I'm too high I avoid driving as it really affects my concentration. I don't think there;s an upper limit which is bizarre as high levels can really affect decision making.

Me too as hyperglycemia and driving can be dangerous as it effects the eyes and concentration levels.

 

[shop]

When I was diagnosed my optition was the one who said I may be diabetic. I went to her as my vision had become blurred all of a sudden. The eye sight test she gave me had identified that I was not legal to drive so I did not drive until the blurred vision had gone. If I remember this had improved even before going on insulin ( about 2 weeks after going to the optition. ) The optition referred me to my GP, he told me to ommit all sugar from tea and be careful with fruit. While I waited for the HBA1C results to come back ( about a week )

So I guess 1 indication would be a sight test.

Lucy.

 

[Elc1112]

Thanks Lucy. I have my eyes tested annually if my stars are high my eyesight can suffer a bit. Having my yes checked every time I get in the car, however, may be a little impractical

I can't did anything anywhere to suggest that there is an upper limit. Was just curious. The fact that nobody else has heard of a definite 'you must not drive if your sugars are higher than' limit makes me think there mustn't be one.

Em

 

[shop]

Thanks Lucy. I have my eyes tested annually if my stars are high my eyesight can suffer a bit. Having my yes checked every time I get in the car, however, may be a little impractical

I can't did anything anywhere to suggest that there is an upper limit. Was just curious. The fact that nobody else has heard of a definite 'you must not drive if your sugars are higher than' limit makes me think there mustn't be one.

Em

I get what you mean Em...........from a concentration point of view too! Iam sure that the DVLA would be quick to let us know especially in light of how stringent they are with low BS!

 

[Elc1112]

Absolutely! That's why I was a little suprised that I hadn't heard anything! Sure they'll cotton on eventually and the rules will become tighter still. Until then, I'll just use my common sense (if I can find it!)

Thanks to everybody for the responses

Emma

 

[Pneu]

I am not 100% sure on the law but my understanding was that the lower limit was only enforceable if you were under the influence of insulin... i.e. if you are to have an accident in a state of hypo and you are an insulin user than you can be prosecuted for driving under the influence of a drug.. in the same way that if you were to have an accident high on a banned substance such as heroin.. Many non-diabetics will have glucose readings of sub 4 mmol/l .. as such although the guidelines for diabetics I believe is not to drive sub 5 mmol/l that's only a guideline.. the actual law is about being under the influence of a insulin; the blood glucose level is the indicator but not the 'problem' if that makes sense (I am sure someone can correct this if I am wrong)..

I do not therefore believe there is a stated upper limit although I suspect there is legislation to cover those people who would be considered not in a fit state to drive which arguable could be used to cover hypers?

 

[Elc1112]

Hi Pneu,

That makes perfect sense and I think you are right - I believe a hypo us treated almost as a drug overdose by the DVLA. My understanding is that you must not drive if your levels are below 4. If they are below 5 you should have a snack before getting behind the wheel. Like you said, I believe that this does only apply to people who are on insulin.

I was involved in a car accident not that long ago. The driver behind me was talking on her mobile and went straight into the back of me. Not my fault at all, but the police still asked to see my meter to verify that I was "safe to drive". Although the time is not correct on my meter (no idea how to change it), they were satisfied that all was ok. Anyway, since then I have been super careful to test before every journey and, if I am doing long journeys, I test every two hours. Bit of a pian when I drive so much with work! It just all got my wondering about all the rules, regulations, guidelines etc. Seems some areas are greyer than others!