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Four or Five?

urbanracer

urbanracer

Expert
Retired Moderator
In another thread started by @Omnipod I noticed a couple of people, @youone and @Jaylee have both given different numbers for the minimum BG level at which you can drive.
Initially I was on Jaylee's side as I'd been told only 2 weeks ago by hospital staff not to drive below 5. And I found I had this leaflet at home which in the 3rd paragraph down suggests the limit is 5 mmol/L.
upload_2015-2-6_19-12-13.png

However, in the back of my mind I was sure that someone had told me 4mmol/L on a previous ocasion and after a quick bit of Googling I also found this....................

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/313214/DIABINF.pdf

upload_2015-2-6_19-15-26.png


So do you deduce that 5 is a guideline and 4 is the legal minimum ?

What say you?
 
If 5 or more and feel good, can drive. If between 4 to 4.9, Can drive as long as you have a snack or sugary drink first, If below 4, treat hypo and have to wait 45 mins, re test then drive
 
brett said:
If 5 or more and feel good, can drive. If between 4 to 4.9, Can drive as long as you have a snack or sugary drink first, If below 4, treat hypo and have to wait 45 mins, re test then drive
Click to expand...
Hi Brett. Yes I originally thought something along those lines but when hospital staff told me that legal minimum was 5 I believed them. DVLA leaflet confuses the issue though as it clearly states 'do not drive if your blood glucose level is below 5 mmol/L.'
 
So here is the issue. There is nothing in statute about this. As the DVLA document says, this is advice and not law. I am not advocating driving below 4mmol/l, but the line that says do not drive comes in a section titled advice.

You are therefore not required to follow it, although, if you were to be involved in an incident, having failed to follow DVLA advice, you would find yourself in hot water if the accident was the result of a hypo.
 
My opinion... if anyone drives at 4 or below, then they deserve to have their drivers license suspendid by the DVLA.. 5 should be the minimum!! Its safer for everybody else on the roads too
 
Hi Urbanracer,

I was advised the "five to drive" rule minimum a good few years ago at a check up session by my nurse.. This figure probably allows for error margine? I would agree with the figure of 5 mmol
Personally? Any reading close to 4 on a drop would be the beginning of "impairment" regarding the thought process/judgement & ultimately, reaction time...
 
It's 5 to drive (before you get behind the wheel) and must not drop below 4 whilst driving. 3.9 is hypo as you know.
My personal view is if it's 5 before you drive then have something to eat. Better to be safe than sorry.
 
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