The objective of the five year retrospective survey published in this paper is to determine whether rates of road traffic accidents are higher in diabetics treated with insulin than in non-diabetic subjects. The rates of accidents in 354 diabetic and 302 non diabetic drivers taken from diabetic dermatology and gastroenterology outpatient clinics were monitored using a self completed questionnaire. Age, sex, driving state, and rates of accidents and convictions of motoring offences were recorded. For the diabetics, further information was obtained on treatment, experience of hypoglycaemia and declaration of disability to the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Centre and their insurance company. It was found that the accident rates of the two groups were similar: 81 (23%) diabetic and 76 (25%) non diabetic drivers had accidents in the previous five years. A total of 103 diabetic drivers had recognised hypoglycaemia symptoms while driving during the previous year. Only 12 reported that hypoglycaemia had ever caused an accident. A substantial number of drivers had failed to notify the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Centre of their diabetes.
Abstract