Driving With Diabetes Tips—What You Should Know

Someone with diabetes can do everything that someone without diabetes can do. But, there are a few activities that a person with diabetes needs to be more mindful of. Exercising and eating are a couple of examples. With exercising, people with diabetes need to ensure that their glucose levels are at healthy levels both before and after. In regards to eating, people with diabetes must eat a balanced meal.

Another activity that people with diabetes must be extra careful about is driving (of course, everyone should always be cautious when driving). But, if you have diabetes, there are a few more risks you take on while driving than someone who doesn’t have diabetes.

For example, if your blood sugar levels are too low, you may feel tired or exhausted, which can be dangerous while driving. As a result of hyperglycemia and high blood pressure, someone with diabetes may lose their vision. Low blood sugar can also lead to dizziness, which is not something you want to experience when driving. You can read more about some of the risks of driving with diabetes here.

To ensure that you stay safe while behind the wheel, here are some tips for driving safely with diabetes.

Tips For Driving With Diabetes

Speak With a Doctor About Driving (Especially if You Have Hypoglycemia Unawareness)

Your doctor is always the best person to talk to concerning questions about your diabetes. This includes questions you may have about driving. Conversing with your doctor about driving is especially important if you have hypoglycemia unawareness. This is when low blood sugar comes up seemingly out of nowhere and without warning. Obviously, this can be very dangerous when driving. Your doctor will be able to offer advice on how to feel low blood sugar coming on.

Check Your Blood Sugar Before You Drive

Prior to driving, make sure that your blood sugar is at a good level (at least 80 mg/dL). If it’s lower than that, eat a snack with around 15 grams of carbohydrates. Then, wait 10–15 minutes and recheck your levels. While this can be a tedious process at times, it is one of the best ways to ensure your diabetes is in check and that you’re safe to drive.

Get Your Vision Checked Regularly

This is actually a good tip for everyone—regardless of whether or not they have diabetes. But, people with diabetes are especially susceptible to their vision changing. For this reason, it’s essential that you get your eyes checked regularly to ensure it isn’t getting any worse and that you can still drive without issues.

Bring Snacks Along For the Ride

It’s always a great idea to keep some snacks on standby in the event you start feeling as if your blood sugar is low. Instead of trying to remember to bring snacks every time you drive, simply stock up your car with snacks that contain fast-acting carbohydrates. Juice boxes, snack bars, and glucose tablets will help you get your glucose levels up fast and should be included in your car snack stock.

Keep Your Medical ID on You

In the event of an emergency, having your medical ID  on you—preferably wearing it somewhere where it is visible—will alert authorities or medical personnel that you have diabetes.

Signs to Look For to Know You Should Stop Driving and Check Your Blood Sugar

If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, stop driving, check your blood sugar, and eat a snack. Then, wait 15 minutes and check your blood sugar again. If you still have low blood glucose levels, eat another snack, and wait 15 more minutes. Don’t get back behind the wheel until your glucose levels are normal again.

Symptoms people with diabetes should look for when driving: 

• Dizzy, light-headed, or confused
• Irritable
• Weak
• Sweaty
• Headache
• Shaky
• Blurred vision
• Sleepy

How the Right Diabetes Management Solution Can Help You Drive Safely

Checking your blood sugar should be simple and fast. If you’re using an outdated solution, then it might be time to upgrade. A cutting-edge and reliable diabetes management solution will help ensure that your glucose levels are where they should be—whether you’re getting ready to drive, at work, or just hanging out at home.

Solutions like Rebel+Mina are here to make your life much easier.

Rebel is the hardware behind the operations. Combining the traditional test kit into one seamless meter that can connect to a phone, Rebel can come with you anywhere and everywhere. No matter where you are, you can check your blood sugar with ease.

Mina is Rebel’s sidekick (as well as your own personal assistant). Mina will be there for you to remind you at set intervals that it’s time to check your blood sugar. Mina also wants to be as helpful as she can, and will ask you questions to get to know you better. She’ll then be able to make the best recommendations possible to ensure that you show your diabetes who’s boss.

Rebel+Mina is one of the top virtual care systems out there today. If you’ve struggled to reduce your A1c and keep your diabetes in check, then reach out to your employer about Pops’ Rebel+Mina today. If your company doesn’t offer Pops, just hand them this card, and we’ll take care of the rest.