While driving home yesterday, I found myself behind a car with a large, prominent “Diabetic Driver” sticker on the bumper.
I can’t think of a reason that I would want to advertise that to everyone on the road.
So - out of curiosity - does anyone here have a sticker like that on their car? And if so, why?
I don’t have a sticker like that, but here are a few reasons.
If they are in an accident, the ER team would be aware. Or if someone sees the car pulled over and the driver appears unconscious, it might prompt them to call 911. Or maybe if they are seen swerving around, and the police pull them over, they would try to see if it was a problem with blood sugar first, instead of immediately assuming the driver was drunk.
If you feel the need to advertise that, you probably shouldn’t be driving. There are better ways to make medical personnel aware.
If I’m driving cross country through the snow and I know its a dangerous drive (like to do skiing), I tape an envelope in the lower left hand side windshield that says “MEDICAL INFO.” Someone would have to open the envelope in order to read what is inside. But, it’s there for the medics incase I hit ice, go off the road, and get knocked out. Its got contact info of my family and my Doc. It tells that I am an epileptic diabetic. They can read that on my med tags, too. They should see the med tags by the time I get to the hospital. But, if I’m in a rural area and a cop arrives on scene, he should see it in the windshield.
I’m gonna go ahead and guess that this might have been a teenager who’s mom was really freaked out by diabetes and about having a teenager start to drive. This might have been the sticker than replaced a previous “student driver” sticker.
It could also be someone who was recently diagnosed, and they are still finding a comfort level with their diabetes.
Maybe they are nervous about it, and the sticker makes them feel better.
@Eric2 got it. I’m certain that’s what it was.
I would actually love that sticker (kinda as a joke). Where can I buy one?
Thanks for the replies.
The point that it may be a teenager, or someone newly diagnosed makes sense.
I suppose it would be helpful in the event of an accident.
Perhaps my gut reaction was partially a result of my personality. I was diagnosed as a child, and I was super sensitive/shy about it when I was young. Now, of course, I am much more open about it and don’t try to hide it, however it’s still generally not what I lead with when introducing myself to someone.
Totally understand your gut reaction. My own initial reaction went to states that restrict driver’s license privileges if you use a drug that can affect your ability to drive, and whether they might make a sticker like this a REQUIREMENT. Which would really suck. Let’s not go there please…
Never in a million years would I post that. If that person has an accident, you can be sure the other person will use it against him or her.
This would not help anyone. Someone having an insulin reaction would not be revived by someone knowing it. A person only mildly effected can pick up some sugar.
An emergency responder would need to mainline some dextrose or something if you were unconscious.
It seems like a silly idea that can only backfire.
This is exactly what I thought when I saw the sticker.
Stickers like that backfire in all sorts of unexpected ways.
Emergency responders sometimes like to put those identifying stickers on their vehicles. But then, say, there’s a terrible accident and the wife is driving their car with the kids inside. She drives past the accident without stopping to help and motorists report her for being a jerk who didn’t stop to help.
Timothy is right. We have CGMs and alarms. There is time to pull over and treat. Many have Medic Alert bracelets.
Won’t even start on the dehumanizing label diabetic vs. person with diabetes.
I don’t see a need for such a bumper sticker. I’m my household, any one of the four us could be driving either car at any given time. Keeping the sign in the collect state would likely be a problem.