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Hypothetical situations

mrman

mrman

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,419
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Was driving about in town today getting lunch and was stuck in traffic for a few mins and got thinking of this stupid question. What if I started to feel low, obviously pull over, test and see, but the only place to pull over would be on double yellows, but wouldn't obstruct any traffic. Tested, and low, have a sugary snack/drink, wait 40 mins as per dvla guidelines. Traffic warden comes along, says please move your car, you say I can't and why, do you get a ticket?
Just one of the many things I think about lol.


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As it's a medical emergency, if the warden didn't listen and went ahead and produced a ticket the chances are it would be overturned on appeal, after all you would be following the DVLA regs by pulling over and waiting until your safe to drive.
 
brett said:
Was driving about in town today getting lunch and was stuck in traffic for a few mins and got thinking of this stupid question. What if I started to feel low, obviously pull over, test and see, but the only place to pull over would be on double yellows, but wouldn't obstruct any traffic. Tested, and low, have a sugary snack/drink, wait 40 mins as per dvla guidelines. Traffic warden comes along, says please move your car, you say I can't and why, do you get a ticket?
Just one of the many things I think about lol.


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Click to expand...

In an ideal world - the coppers would agree with you pulling over [as per the DVLA/Law rules]
And for them to accept and appreciate your correct actions :thumbup:

Traffic wardens can be frustratingly polar opposite in their understanding sometimes !
I would like to hope/wish anyone with insulin regimes/needs would GET an understanding
traffic warden at the time of their need to treat their Hypo .
Not guaranteed I know :problem:

Thing is when suffering a Hypo some persons cant speak their words/needs clearly .
Giving the appearance they may well be very slurred and quite 'drunk' .
It all just makes things 'more' complex and difficult then .
This is when a medical alert card carried or a bracelet/necklace/tattoo comes in quite handy .

I have used my own diabetic tattoo for this - and it has saved me many times over
from an uncomfortable or complex embarrasing situation .

As I do go VERY slurred and floppy headed during my hypo's .
Once they see my diabetic tattoo the change with any persons in authority
negative approach with myself has been immediate .
Have found folk cant do enough to help me :thumbup:
Yep - even a previously very grumpy traffic warden at our local market carpark .
Changed his previous negative damning attitude and approach with me double quickly :thumbup:

For me - its all about how well organised and prepared a person is prior
to any hypo incidence within their own diabetes insulin needs/routine .

During a hypo it may be too difficult to open a wallet,purse,handbag to explain things
more from a card . [due to dexterity problems from the hypo ]
I even have problems opening a fresh new packet of dextrose tablets during the more
severe stage of my hypo's . [cant seem to grip things from the shaking in my hands/body]
A bracelet or necklace would be easier to wave at them .
Same with a tattoo on any wrist .
Easier to convey the reason to anyone !

Brett - agree there is MUCH to managing our diabetes [on an insulin regime ]
It isn't a stupid question at all - perfectly valid actually .

Hope this can help .
Anna.
 
A very interesting and valid question brett.

I agree with noblehead's comments.

Any reasonable and fair minded person, when informed
of the difficulty, should understand the difficult situation
any one of us would find ourselves in if we were unfortunate
enough to experience such a thing.

Anna, what an excellent reply, I'm impressed.

The entire post and content fairly gets you thinking.
Thank you all.

Really informative, post.


willie
 
Brett,

I have often thought about this too. I have not had to stop while driving due to a hypo. But I have had to wait for BG to rise to a legal driving level after a brisk walk when returning to my parked vehicle.

I have even phoned the local council to ask whether a limited Blue Badge could be issued for such a situation. Of course the response is negative, unless of course I have mobility issues. I did not expect a positive response.

I do think a restricted Blue Badge to display in medical emergencies would be useful.
 
Brilliant idea :) ambersilver.

if had to park in a place you shouldn't, but not obstructing anything instead of a blue disabilty badge, a red temporary disabilty badge issued for such occasions to display, as long as if asked you could prove it through monitor readings.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi All .

This idea may be worth tackling via the DVLA given that it is them that
are imposing drivers rules - whilst driving using an insulin regime .

Good idea actually - worth running past the DVLA . :thumbup:
My 3 year licence renewal is due next year 2014 .
Will raise this one up via the DVLA .
It is worth a shot .

Can certainly see the potential with a badge being issued to drivers using an insulin regime .
It could/would solve a lot of concerns/issues with having to pull up and wait in awkward places
or situations .

Anna .
 
Good post brett, (I often think of 'what if's') and great replies to your thread as well :thumbup: . I can't really say anything on the subject though, because I don't drive, but I would probably do what you would do in that situation (can't wait until my daughter starts to drive, at least 5 years away) :D

RRB
 
Also, that way if you had under treated the hypo and ended up unconscious weather parked legally/illegally and had a sign displayed people would hopefully know you needed urgent medical attention and not just sleeping.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Having a badge/card to place on the dashboard in an
emergency situation is an excellent idea.
There's one aspect though that could effect the older
disabled driver, and possibly the younger disabled driver.

I'm in the middle of completing a DVLA medical report
questionnaire I must return to them.
They'll assess my answers then decide whether or not to
extend my driving licence for another 3 years.

They're zoning in on a few health problems, especially
diabetes. You have to be dead honest with them
and I have to say the answers to the questions don't
give me real confidence that I'll be successful....
I feel that when you re-read your own answers, they
come across as being far worse than they actually
are, and I just don't know how the the replies would
read if we had to answer questions regarding emergency
rest periods now that the suggestion of a special dashboard
badge/card has been raised.

Perhaps it's just me, perhaps I'm simply being too negative
about it, I don't know. Perhaps I may be a bit anxious
regarding the outcome. :?
At the same time though, I wouldn't wish to drive if I was
deemed a liability.

Anyway, you can always slap me down for negativity
or anything else that comes to mind. :D
uoi_zpsc368e865.gif




Still an excellent subject with excellent feed-back.
I'm glad I spotted your post, brett.

willie :thumbup:
 
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