I just wanted to see if I can get some advice about driving with Type 1. My son is 15 and he will soon get his learners permit for driving. He handles having type 1 pretty well (knock on wood). I am just a little nervous not just about him driving but what would happen if he was pulled over, gets a ticket or worse in an accident. My friends daughter was in an accident even though the other guy ran a red light the insurance tried to blame her because she has type 1. Thankfully she had test her BG before she was driving and after the accident and showed the officer and he documented it. Advice would be appreciated thanks.
I try to test everytime before I drive, even if I'm stressed and running late. It's also good to have your son keep glucose tablets and other snacks in the glove compartment. He should also carry a wallet card that says "I am not drunk. I am a diabetic and may need emergency medical care." just in case he has a low that is mistaken for a DUI.
I'm the worst driver in the world and especially in my younger days had tons of accidents (not diabetes related). My diabetes was never an mentioned by police or insurance.
I have a new driving 16 year old girl. I set rules for driving same as if she was not a type 1. We talked a lot during the permit year about those rules. Of course, we do have rules of no driving below 150. If you feel off test. Keep glucose tabs or other favorite low correction snack at arms reach. Never be afraid to call home for help. Now to explain these additional t1d rules.
Never drive below 150. While out driving about half way through the permit time, I used a flashlight app that had flashing police lights and siren as we approached a light. Mind you I choose the time wisely. She did like most of us jumped felt the panic of oh no. I had her test she s her bg drop by 30 points - she is on CGM. I pointed out the same thing can happen no matter what startles her while driving. Not to mention I have a sticker on our scar that alerts the police that a diabetic could be driving. This is to avoid her being treated as a drunk in case she does drop suddenly and has low symptoms like a drunk. I also remaindered her DUI stands for driving under impairment. While people may be understanding she will need to be prepared to prove she was not impaired should she get stopped or has the unfortunate chance of someone else hitting her.
Feel off test. This is to help protect her in the event of an accident. It takes two seconds to pull over and test.
Keep low correction snack in arms reach. One time she did get startled felt off but could not quickly pull off to test safely. So she could grab the snack to just be safe. Better high and correct when you can safely pull over.
Now here are some things I considered doing and would if 300 dollars did not mean the roof over our head or other basic life needs.
1. Two way Dash cam. Also called a black box. It films the view out the front windshield and the view of what is going on inside of the car at the same time. It stores up to 16 hours of footage on a sd card that the police can look at on their laptop at the scene. Just mention of this will give a diabetic child additional support. Because we all know many drivers instantly blame a teen for an accident even without an illness just to escape being at fault. But if while waiting for the police your child can say when the police looks at footage we will see, the wind and wild exaggerations will be gone.