Hypoglycaemia and Driving

Each day in Australia, over all age groups, there are on average tens of thousands of near misses, nearly 5000 crashes requiring repairs, 85 people admitted to hospital because of a crash, and approximately 5 people are killed in crashes.

This means on average 35 people die each week, and around 595 are hospitalised.

For each one of these people hundreds of others are affected.

Governments will tell us that Speeding, Fatique, Drink Driving, and Illegal Drugs are the main reasons for these tragic figures, however what they don’t tell you is that these are only contributing factors in car crashes. Remember there are no car accidents just crashes because 99.9999 percent of car crashes could have been avoided.

Many crashes whether there has been a death or injury are caused because some people drive while suffering illnesses that could involve episodes that lead to either total blackouts or lack of control.

Diabetes is one of those diseases where the sufferer can have what is known as a HYPOGLYCAEMIC EPISODE.

Hypoglycaemia occurs mainly with people suffering type 1 diabetes (Which means they are insulin dependant). Episodes occur when blood sugar levels are too low. An episode may include dizziness, disorientation, even fainting or seizures. The effect of an episode while driving could be fatal.

There has been a lot of research done on Hypoglycaemia and its effects on driving, however the research conclusions are that Doctors need to warn their patients about the risks involved in driving with type 1 diabetes, and recommend an action plan if the sufferer feels an episode coming on.

In Queensland on application for a licence the applicant is asked if he or she suffers diabetes, if they answer yes they only require a certificate from a GP if they are on medication or are insulin dependant, there are no further requirements.

HYPODRIVE aims to tackle this problem head on, through education and public awareness programmes. Trained Driving Instructors will be able to work with and advise Diabetes sufferers during their learning experience and make young diabetes sufferers more aware of the risks and how to recognise and react to a hypoglycaemic episode while driving.

HPODRIVE will also lobby Governments to look at changing licencing rules to ensure that all diabetes sufferers have completed educational programmes before being allowed to drive a motor vehicle.

We need to stop the carnage on our roads and programmes like Hypodrive will go a long way to reduce our horrific crash stats.

Programmes like Hypodrive will only survive with the support of organisations like Lions. Brisbane Hellenic Lions supports Hypodrive and I now ask that we get behind Sharon and Hypodrive and remember the life we could be saving is yours or one of your family.

HYPODRIVE:

Hypodrive came about after I was involved in a head on car crash. I spent 6 weeks in a coma  with only 1% chance of survival. After having 43 operations in the past 3yrs and many on going treatments, I felt there has to be a reason why I survived. The accident was caused by a man having a hypoglycaemic episode, caused by uncontrolled diabetes. He claimed that he had never been informed of the dangers, that not only he faces, but everyone else on the roads face, when a diabetic driver ignores warning signs of an impending hypoglycaemic episode. After doing a lot of research and talking to many specialists, I found that there is no education program or any other significant information available for suffers of diabetes or any other medical condition. So there for knowing what my family and friends had endured, I have set out to make our community aware of these dangers and prevent it from happening again.

The information I have gathered has been approved by and the wording has been recommended by the: DIABETES AUSTRALIA’S MEDICAL, EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL (other wise known as MESC)

I have had hypodrive fully investigated by Shine Lawyers who have given it their full support and have assured me that there is no legal issues or ramifications with the hypodrive project. I have been guest speaker for Shine Lawyers on 2 occasions and they have supplied a written statement to that effect.

Hypodrive will endeavour to make it known that you cannot claim IGNORANCE anymore. Not knowing the consequences of driving with a medical condition, will become an unacceptable excuse, for killing or maming on our roads. You are held responsible for drink and drug driving..there is no difference…

EDUCATION IS OUR GREATEST TOOL:

IGNORANCE IS NOT OK WHEN SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES…

EDUCATION: Via schools, hospitals, pharmacy’s, diabetes Aust, transport dept’s, police, driving schools, legal fraternity, insurance agencies, C.A.R.S. (citizens against road slaughter), community and social groups and all media outlets….basically anyone

ALL OF THESE ORGANISATIONS HAVE OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF INCLUDING HYPODRIVE AND ARE PREPARED TO HELP IN ANYWAY THEY CAN.

DRIVING LESSONS: Will be supported by driving schools across the nation. Selected driving instructors from each school will be instructed by medical staff about diabetes and what can and will happen in a hypoglycaemic episode. Then together with defensive driving instructors, we will endeavour to put together a program of driver training that will prevent these accidents from ever occurring again…

HYPO PACKS: Will be given out by dr’s and driving schools as they sign a patient clear to drive, only after they have attended a driving with diabetes workshop. The hypo pack will be required to be carried by the driver at all times while driving. With further packs available for purchase through Capalaba Lions and the Hypodrive website.

STOP HYPODRIVE WHEELS: Will be given out to anyone who wants one, as we all have a duty of care, when it comes to safety on our roads…With diabetes being the fastest growing medical condition in Aust, we all need to be made aware of the consequences…

IF MOTION IS PASSED…..

ASK IF I CAN SPEAK BRIEFLY

ACCESS TO THE WEBSITE WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 1^ST NOVEMBER AND I AM AVAILABLE AS A GEUST SPEAKER AT CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.