10 Tips to Drive Safely with Diabetes

If you are on insulin injections or on oral glucose-lowering tablets like sulphonylureas, it INCREASES your risk of hypoglycaemia. This is in particular if you have:

• Performed physical activities, such as exercising
• Missed a meal
• Had alcohol
• Other conditions like kidney disease

Other medications that can cause drowsiness may also DECREASE your alertness on the road and your ability to detect low blood glucose symptoms and signs.

1. Before you drive

Before you start driving, check your blood glucose level before you drive. Aim for a blood glucose level above 5.0 mmol/L.

2. Check every 2 hours

If you are on a long car journey, check your blood glucose (BG) level every 2 hours and consider taking a break.

3. When you experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)

Test your blood glucose level if you experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia such as:

• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Fast heartbeat
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Feeling irritable
• Inability to concentrate
• Tingling sensation in your fingers, lips or tongue

If not treated, your symptoms and signs can become more severe, and can include:

• Weakness and difficulty walking
• Confusion and abnormal behaviour
• Feeling hungry
• Unclear speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Unclear speech
• Seizures

If you have these symptoms or signs, you or the people around you should call for an ambulance (995) immediately.

1. Always bring along a glucometer to monitor blood glucose readings.

2. Bring along quick and long-acting carbohydrates to treat hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

3. Have a Medik Awas card (see below) to identify you as a person with diabetes in the event of an emergency.

4. Always test your blood glucose levels before driving and every 2 hours into driving.

5. If your blood glucose reading is below 5.0 mmol/L, take 15g of long-acting carbohydrates before you start driving e.g.: 3 pieces of biscuits, or 1 slice of bread.

6. Protect your glucose strips from extreme temperature and direct sunlight to ensure accurate readings.

7. If you have a hypoglycaemia episode, stop by the roadside where possible and treat this immediately.

8. After treating hypoglycaemia, do not drive until you have fully recovered.

9. Avoid driving when you are tired or are on medications that may cause drowsiness.

10. Never drink and drive.

1. Locate a safe place to stop and park your car.

2. Turn off the engine and shift to the passenger seat.

3. Treat hypoglycaemia (< 4.0 mmol/L) using the 15/15 Rule:
15g of quick-acting carbohydrates, wait 15 minutes and re-test to ensure blood glucose level rises above 4.0 mmol/L.

4. When your blood glucose level has reached above 4.0 mmol/L, take 15g of long-acting carbohydrates before you start driving.

Start driving only when all your hypoglycaemia symptoms are gone and you can perform tasks like mental math. You may need to wait up to 30-45 minutes.

According to the Singapore Medical Association (SMA), the Medik Awas card aims to prevent medical mishaps by alerting medical and dental personnel to any specific medical problems of registrants.

Medik Awas cards are useful for those with diabetes since it contains important information like your medical conditions and the medications you are on. This is important as it can alert strangers to the potential cause of your problem should you become unwell and are unable to verbalise why.

How do I apply for a Medik Awas card?

• Get your medical or dental practitioner to enroll you in the Medik Awas scheme.
• Your doctor should fill up the Medik Awas application form at www.sma.org.sg
• Once completed, you should submit the application to SMA through mail.
• Mail the completed and signed Medik Awas form, with relevant fees and a passport-sized photo to:
  Medik Awas Department
  Singapore Medical Association
  No. 2 College Road
  Level 2 Alumni Medical Centre
  Singapore 169850

What is the cost of a Medik Awas card?

The registration fees for a Medik Awas card (as at 1 January 2012) are as follows:

How and when will I receive the Medik Awas card?

A laminated Medik Awas card will be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks through normal mail.

The card will bear the following:

1. Your name
2. Residential address
3. NRIC number
4. The nature of your allergies and/or medical problem
5. Your doctor’s name and contact number

For more information, please visit www.sma.org.sg

Ref: F26 (ed)

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