Living with Diabetes

There are precautions that people with diabetes should take to ensure they are safe behind the wheel.

• Always check your blood glucose before you get behind the wheel and at regular intervals during long drives.
  
• Always carry your blood glucose meter and plenty of snacks — including a quick-acting source of sugar — with you when you drive.
  
• Pull over as soon as you feel any of the signs of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), and check your blood glucose level.
  
• If your blood glucose is low, eat a snack that contains a fast-acting sugar source such as juice, non-diet soda, hard candy, or glucose tablets. Wait 15 minutes and check your blood glucose again to make sure it’s at your target range before you resume driving.
  
• If you experience hypoglycemia unawareness, stop driving and consult your health care provider. Do not resume driving until awareness has been reestablished.
  
• Get regular eye exams for early detection of diabetes-related vision problems that can affect your driving ability.

For more information on safe driving, see the brochure "Driving When You Have Diabetes" created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Diabetes Association.