Safe Driving And Hypoglycemia

Having low blood sugar while driving can be dangerous and can cause harm to you, your loved ones, and others in your car and on the road. Be sure to check your blood sugar before driving and during long drives, and always be prepared to correct a low.

Although a mild low may not seem to impair your driving, studies show that many people do not accurately judge their blood glucose, or their driving ability, when they are low. One study found that nearly 45% of the time participants said they would drive, their blood sugar levels were in a range associated with declining performance.* Another study found that even people with tight blood glucose control were at high risk for having traffic accidents due to low blood sugar.**

Having diabetes shouldn’t have to stop you from driving. But it is important - and necessary - to take some extra steps for a safer and more relaxed trip, especially if you take insulin or another blood glucose-lowering medication. A little extra planning goes a long way!

* JAMA Patient Page, Safe Driving For People With Diabetes, August 25, 1999
** PLoS Medicine, Vehicle Crashes in Diabetes Patients, December 2009, Volume 6 Issue 12