Published: 31 March 2006
Road Safety for Diabetics
New research into the possible effects of certain types of diabetes on road safety has been published by the Department for Transport.
The research, which examined the rate of low glucose (hypoglycaemic) events in people with different types of diabetes, suggests that insulin-treated Type II Diabetes may not present as serious a risk to drivers as has previously been assumed.
The research finds that the rate of low blood glucose events (which can lead to impaired visual function and cognition) in people with Type II diabetes treated with insulin (when insulin was started less 2 years ago) is similar to that in people with Type II diabetes treated with tablets.
However, the research also showed once insulin is used over the longer term the rate of low blood glucose events begins to increase. By five years the risk similar to that in Type I Diabetes.
However, the research will now need to go for further analysis to verify its findings.
If ultimately proven correct, the research could have implications for the driving licence entitlements of people with Type II Diabetes who use insulin over the short-term. Currently these people are not entitled to hold lorry or bus licences.
Stephen Ladyman, Road Safety Minister, said:
"This is interesting research which we will need to consider carefully. We plan to get the research peer reviewed to check the validity of the findings as there are potentially serious implications for driving licence entitlement.
As a result of that review we will assess whether any changes to licence restrictions may be necessary."
There are, largely speaking, two main types of diabetes:
· Type I diabetes, tends to occur in younger people and requires insulin treatment from the outset
· Type II diabetes is more common later in life and is normally managed with diet alone, sometimes with tablets and occasionally requires insulin
The current medical standards for driver licensing preclude people who are treated with insulin from holding a Group 2 (bus and lorry) licence. This is mainly because of increased road safety risk from episodes of insulin-induced low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) when visual function and cognition are impaired, with a possibility of loss of consciousness.
The results of the research will be considered by the Secretary of State's Medical Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving. An EC Medical Expert Working Group, which has been considering the minimum medical standards for diabetes and driving, is also due to report shortly.
The Panel considers it right to await the recommendations of this Group before advising on whether there should be changes to driver licensing arrangements in the UK and, if so, over what timescale.
Further information
DfT website
Road safety Research Report No. 61: Stratifying Hypoglycaemic Event Risk in Insulin-treated Diabetes
The role of risk analysis in the evaluation of fitness to drive
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