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andy144

Newbie
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2
Hello all,
I'm a T2 but my brother in law is T1 and has just learned that he stands a good chance of losing his driving licence due to the latest goverment ruling on hypos, his by the way always happen at night in bed. Couple of things, I beleive from what I've read that the laws are being relaxed for the likes of Hgv & bus drivers etc. so why are private car drivers being discriminated against and is anything being done about it. Does anyone know of a current online petition, there just seems to be a general air of complacency. I know if my licence was taken away i would be devastated as I'm sure many others would. Any light that can be shed on this will be gratefully received. Thanks.
Andy
 
Utter *****. I know diabetics who have way more than 2 hypos a year and still drive. How do they know if you have more than 2 hypos? 0.o
 
Beav said:
Utter *****. I know diabetics who have way more than 2 hypos a year and still drive. How do they know if you have more than 2 hypos? 0.o
Click to expand...

It makes me so angry, I have been a type 1 diabetic for 50 years, I have been driving a car for 38 years and a quad bike for 2 years, I have never had an accident and no convictions a clean driving licence.
I have had a few hypos in my time, God am I angry :evil:
Kev
 
Im sure a huge argument will be kicked up over this. Hopefully in our favour at the end
 
Beav said:
Im sure a huge argument will be kicked up over this. Hopefully in our favour at the end
Click to expand...

I do hope it will be in our favour
 
How ridiculous is that thought. I have 2 hypo's a week sometimes :?
 
Don't get angry over myths. The popular press has a lot of people scared unnecessarily. (I want one of those head banging smilies)


Current standards for people on insulin to drive T1 vehicles (cars and bikes) ... These are the new ones.

• Must have awareness of hypoglycaemia.
• Must not have had more than one episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person in the preceding twelve months[/b].
• There must be appropriate blood glucose monitoring.
• Must not be regarded as a likely source of danger to the public while driving.
• The visual standards for acuity and visual field must be met
Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia has been defined by the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes as, 'an inability to detect the onset of hypoglycaemia because of a total absence of warning symptoms'.


Standards from 15th Nov. 2001 to drive T2 vehicles (not allowed previously)
No episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person has occurred in the preceding 12 months.
• Has full awareness of hypoglycaemia.
• Regularly monitors blood glucose at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving using a glucose meter with a memory function to measure and record blood glucose levels. At the annual examination by an independent Consultant Diabetologist, 3 months of blood glucose readings must be available.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx

See also,
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/238004.php
 
Thanks for the post phoenix. That may have calmed a few members down, lol. Would they say a reading of 13 is dangerously high? I notice you need to give the previous 3 months readings and I do a lot of weight training and occasionaly I get a 13/14 after training due to adrenaline.
 
Beav, read again. The 3 months readings are to show the independent medical examiner if you are applying for a group 2 licence.
(personally though my doctor always looks through my last 3 months readings
... though these regulations don't apply to me I live in France and my own doc would have no say in my driving licence. (medical confidentiality). Here people applying for a new licence of whatever type have to see an independent medical examiner. The new regulations affect young T1s applying for a first licence and anyone reapplying after losing a licence but not existing licence holders... though I benefit, I think it's totally discriminatory)
 
Ahh my bad. Im 20 and have been diabetic 5 years in January and I like to think im not far of my driving test now. Insurance is steep enough as it is then it gets bumped up as im a T1 diabetic

EDIT: Just read that they can only bump it up if I was on a restricted license which I shouldn't be should I?
 
the laws are being relaxed for the likes of Hgv & bus drivers etc. so why are private car drivers being discriminated against
Click to expand...
Diabetics are no longer automatically disqualified from driving buses and HGV (subject to the same hypo restrictions) - exactly how does that constitute discrimination of private car drivers?
 
Thanks all, I was wrong on one or two things i.e same hypo restrictions for H.G.V. and bus etc. misinterpretation on my part.
 
From what I understand, you may be at risking you have had two DISABLING hypos. Still a lot of things that are unclear at the moment, though.

If the DVLA do decide to introduce guidelines that say anybody who have two two or more episodes of disabling hypo (i.e. Needed help from Other) then, in all fairness, that does show a lack of hypo awareness and it's easy to see how these people could be deemed as unfit to drive.

It'll be an interesting one to watch. Hopefully there will be some clearer guidance soon. I, like many others, would be up sh*t creek without a paddle if I wasn't able to drive anymore!
 
The law concerning the 2 hypo rule has already come in...

There is no speraration in treatment of those diabetics who hold a car licence to those that have bus and hgv licences..

You have 2 hypos in 12 months then they will lose both their car licence bus/hgv licence.. If I remember rightly you can't hold a HGV etc licences without first holding a full driving licence..
 
I personally think this is a drive [pardon the pun] to get T1 diabetics to stop applying for DLA benefit. To qualify for DLA, there is an element of needing assistance from another person, which I would imagine is mainly down to hypo's.

This obviously doesn't apply if you have complications.
 

Surely this is a hypo where you can't treat it yourself?
 

You are correct Beav, two hypos requiring assistance that are then reported so providing you have good hypo awareness there shouldnt be too many problems :thumbup:
 
Sid Bonkers said:
You are correct Beav, two hypos requiring assistance that are then reported so providing you have good hypo awareness there shouldnt be too many problems :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Ahh few! I seem to have good hypo awareness! Don't want to jynx anything so ile touch wood! lol
 
Driving is always a very sensitive subject for Diabetics but I think this change is causing unnecessary worry amongst the community! If you have two disabling hypos requiring assistance in the space of 12 months then perhaps it is the most sensible thing for everyone involved (yourself and other road users alike, passers by, small children etc) that you are not on the road posing a risk. These restrictions are there to PROTECT not to discriminate. I'm Type 1 myself, i regularly have hypos due to having such tight control. I have good hypo awareness and make sure I monitor my bm's regularly to avoid anything severe happening. I spoke to my consultant regarding this the other day during my Ante-natal clinic and he did point out that someone giving you something sugary to overcome a hypo is classed as assistance. Don't fret, however, we do not have dvla cameras in our homes they can use to monitor this. I think, or at least I would hope what they are referring to when needing assistance, is the help of medical staff, paramedics etc due to unconsciousness from hypoglycemia or severe drowsiness and lack of awareness. I can only see hospital admittance being the way they can monitor and implement such a rule! To be frank, if you have ended up in hospital due to hypos twice in a year, I would hope that you are not driving! It does seem strange to me though that there aren't any restrictions on glucose levels being too high, this can be equally as detrimental and certainly has a negative affect on eyesight!
 
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