Sunday, October 9, 2011
EU directive to clamp down on diabetic drivers
There has long been association with diabetes and the inability to drive, in the eyes of the law. Diabetes is treated much like a disability and the laws of the road see it very much in that way. However, being diagnosed doesn't necessarily mean that you cannot drive. There are millions of diabetics on our roads that drive without any problems. However, new EU directive looks set to change the way that the law decides if diabetics should be allowed on the road.
It is expected that the new legislation, which is due to be introduced in early October, will take in excess of 1 million motorists off the road. Many major diabetes organisations, such as Diabetes UK have protested these changes, as they deem them to be totally prejudice. Drivers that have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes will be subject to strict rulings of whether or not they should be deemed as safe to be on the roads.
There are already several laws surrounding diabetic drivers. At present, anyone that treats diabetes with insulin will not be allowed to drive heavy goods vehicles, a decision that has caused a great deal of controversy. There have been countless campaigns for the Department of Transport to review the legislation, but the latest twist only means that it is getting tougher for diabetic drivers to obtain a license. The law doesn't take into account that the severity of diabetes that people encounter varies hugely from case to case. Some people are at risk of backing out regularly, whilst others simply aren't.
The new rules state that people who suffer from two or more hypos (hypoglycaemia episodes) will not be able to obtain a driving license. Until now, the law has defined hypos as episodes where the diabetes sufferer requires assistance form another person (for example, administering carbohydrates), but only during the waking hours. The new definition includes episodes that happen nocturnally.
There has been a great deal of debate as to whether nocturnal episodes should be in any way associated with driving. The new rulings will mean that a huge amount of people, who have driven safely for several years, will be taken off the road. It goes without saying that this will have a huge knock-on effect. Many people rely on being able to drive for their livelihoods and the debate will continue as to whether it's fair to take them off the road.
It is expected that the new legislation, which is due to be introduced in early October, will take in excess of 1 million motorists off the road. Many major diabetes organisations, such as Diabetes UK have protested these changes, as they deem them to be totally prejudice. Drivers that have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes will be subject to strict rulings of whether or not they should be deemed as safe to be on the roads.
There are already several laws surrounding diabetic drivers. At present, anyone that treats diabetes with insulin will not be allowed to drive heavy goods vehicles, a decision that has caused a great deal of controversy. There have been countless campaigns for the Department of Transport to review the legislation, but the latest twist only means that it is getting tougher for diabetic drivers to obtain a license. The law doesn't take into account that the severity of diabetes that people encounter varies hugely from case to case. Some people are at risk of backing out regularly, whilst others simply aren't.
The new rules state that people who suffer from two or more hypos (hypoglycaemia episodes) will not be able to obtain a driving license. Until now, the law has defined hypos as episodes where the diabetes sufferer requires assistance form another person (for example, administering carbohydrates), but only during the waking hours. The new definition includes episodes that happen nocturnally.
There has been a great deal of debate as to whether nocturnal episodes should be in any way associated with driving. The new rulings will mean that a huge amount of people, who have driven safely for several years, will be taken off the road. It goes without saying that this will have a huge knock-on effect. Many people rely on being able to drive for their livelihoods and the debate will continue as to whether it's fair to take them off the road.
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