I never thought about that - but then again I don’t wear contacts 
My vision correction is only -1.50 and -1.75… I’m far from blind
All you need to do is to wear your medical ID bracelet letting people know that you’re a type-1 diabetic.
In Texas, I think they ask if you take insulin. If so, they ask if it’s 30 or more “units” a day. They don’t specify whether these 30 units is fast-acting, basal, etc. When you go up to a driver license examiner, they restate the question and they have yet to make a big deal.
I think in order to have a note on your record, you would first have to cause an accident or have a doctor or “concerned citizen” contact the Medical Advisory Board in texas. Then you’d have to go through the lengthy process of having your endo say you’re medically able to drive, then it’s back to status quo. If you have good control, it’s much much better to stay silent about your D.
I agree with Lane. It would be nice if there was a way to have it on file without it becoming a major yearly hassle.
John-Have you ever seen the video of the diabetic being tased for non-cooperation. He was in a hypo and non-responsive, they tased him rather than check for id, bracelet or similar identifier. I have also been picked up by EMT’s taken to the hospital and had to tell them as I was becoming alert to check my medical id. None of the 10 people who had contact to that point had looked at it. Granted that was in a rural area where the EMT’s are volunteers, but still. Don’t count on the bracelet.
Clearly there is a need to educate EMTs and let them know how important it is to first check for the medic alert bracelet or pendant or whatever form of ID people wear. What guarantees you that even if your diabetes is on file that the police officer/EMT will see it? So you can’t really count on anything. Better awareness through education is the best bet, imho.
Dave, did you start wearing the watch-band attached medic alert, recommended on our other common diabetes site? Hooray, I hope so.
God bless
Brunetta
I check “no”, too. I wear my medic alert ID, and test before I drive anywhere. I thought I was the only one who checked “no” and felt guilty about it for a split second last month when I renewed-happy to see I’m not alone!
or programing their pumps…
Okay so what about insurance? My agent is a family friend and knows about my recent diagnosis. I haven’t renewed my policy yet so it hadn’t come up, but do you tell them as well? My though is what if I were to have an accident because of my sugar dropping and I was at fault, would they cover the accident because I didn’t disclose my diabetes?
Elizabeth
The “alcohol rule” might apply there. If involved in an accident don’t mention you had been drinking and ask the other party to not mention it also. Insurance companies (for either party) don’t pay (anyone) when alcohol is involved (on either party).
Actually to be truthful I don’t know if that applies in the US. In Greece it does.
Do insurance companies even ask about it? Are they allowed by law to ask?
I’ve never been asked by my insurance company (any of the multiple ones I’ve used) if I had diabetes or any other condition.
I do, and have in several states where I’ve been licensed since my diagnosis. There are a couple of reasons.
I’d rather be honest, deal with the consequences and be at peace with myself.
Also, if I had a low that contributed to a crash I am concerned that concealing that would further expose me to civil liability - perhaps causing my insurance company or the other party’s to deny coverage for the incident. I also fear that should that or a lawsuit occur, concealing diabetes would further expose me to liability either from my insurance company or a lawsuit from the victim. There could also be the possibility of committing insurance fraud. I’m no lawyer, but the inconvenience of getting a certification letter from my doctor is much less of a hassle than going through that kind of mess.
There is also a larger social issue. None of us want dangerous drivers on the road, and I suspect we all support removing them from the road and preventing them from hurting or killing us, our families and friends. By checking “yes” I not only have peace of mind, but I know that what I am doing is responsible and not selfish.
I think it is unrealistic for a law enforcement officer to check for a medic alert bracelet or necklace prior to using force on an unknown, irrational, possibly intoxicated person. As already mentioned, even EMS personnel do not always check for them, let alone a police officer who perceives a threat to himself or others. They will resolve the situation first, and maybe ask why later.
So what are the chances that I’ll get caught even if I did tell a lie on some form? Miniscule - I have not been pulled over since 1983. But the definition of character is doing what is right even if nobody is looking.
Yes, but now you are making me think: why is it right? Because the government says so?
Doing the right thing by not drinking and driving is different from doing the right thing by making sure your grass is under 5 inches.
One is a moral question and the other a legal. The two don’t necessarily go hand in hand.
You raise the issue at the crux of this matter: can you legislate morality? The one sentence answer is that all laws should aim to protect the common good while simultaneously protecting individual liberty. Over time, laws are enacted that lose sight of that goal, while interpretation by courts can muddle their impacts and implementation. (That is the result of 30 credits in philosophy and law in college finally becoming useful.)
Also in theory, it is not government that says what we must do, but us by giving legitimacy to that government through the application of the democratic process.
Well Said…
Yes, I did see the guy who was tazered by police. I had a seizure and my husband called 911…when the cops arrived all they were interested in doing was sticking to protocol, and give me oxygen. My husband explained to them what was going on and he needed assistance to hold me still to give me the glucogon shot. Are you aware the the police nor regular EMS are allowed to give shots…only the Advanced Life Support…ALS…Paramedics…are licensed to give shots.(in the State of New Jersey) Sometimes waiting for them can be detrimental to someone having a seizure due to low BG. I am a trained EMT myself-basic life support…and although trained to check for medic alerts many police, first responders, EMT forget or simply don;t do it.
Sheila
It’s illegal to drive and use your cell phone (in ANY way) in the state of Connecticut.
I have never even THOUGHT about saying “yes” to the medical question.
I was diagnosed at 14 and got my license at 16 years old. Never even crossed my mind to check “yes”. How is that for being oversighted? haha.
Now that I know that I SHOULD… I still don’t feel guilty about not checking it… maybe later on today I will feel badly, but when I go to renew my license in three more years (I’ve gotten it renewed already three times) I’m sure that I’ll forget about it again.
Not only that, but since I have good control and strong sense of mind to get off the road when I’m not physically feeling well, I don’t think it’s anybody ele’s business what kinds of ailments I have. Do I have to tell everyone about it? I can’t stand strangers knowing my “business.”
I don’t talk or text on my phone when I’m driving (it’s illegal here anyway) and I may play my music loudly, but definitely not at defeaning sounds. I feel I’m a pretty careful driver.
I agree about the taser thing- I didn’t watch the video, but I do understand that police officers need to protect themselves before protecting the suspect. It would be nice if they checked us for Med ID bracelets and stuff first, but sometimes we act like we’re crazed and/or on drugs… they have to act like every single person they meet while on duty is up to no good- is a threat.
So, for me, it’s a No.
You know what I heard, though? I heard that a car company (I think it’s Chevrolet?) is coming out with a car and computer program that will have all of your driving functions as translucent images on your windshield. Sounds cool, right?
You’ll have the GPS navigation built right into the windshield so that when you have to take a left, there will be a faint arrow on your windshield, pointing in the right direction. Your blinkers will be flashing off to the sides of your windshield, as well as when it rains, the first drop will automatically activate the wipers and headlights.
(for me… that’s getting a little too invasive. I like to have some sense of control.)
But here’s the kicker…
They are also adding in a function to be able to receive signals from other drivers about what their driving records are. It’ll be something like “Warning: Honda Accord on right: 3 speeding violations in past 6 months, 1 accident this year and one DUI in the past 5 years.” Some say it will also include names and anything else that is on your driving history.
How’s that for invasive? Imagine if the government FORCED us to purchase these cars… like they forced us to get digital cable? Like they forced us to all get upgraded phones. The phones issued after (I think it was 1998) all have a chip in them. That way, with the chip, the goverment can tune into your cell phone and listen in on your conversations, if need be, as well as physically locate where your phone is sitting- therefore, locate YOU.
Cool for fighting terrorism… not so cool for regular civilians just living their normal lives.
I understand why it needs to be done… but where’s the line? Anyone ever see the movie Minority Report? haha.
Okay… off my soapbox.
I can understand the oversight in a situation like yours. I know when I got my first one (back during the Carter administration) I was a bit excited. I think that in many states your signature at the bottom of the license application contains a perjury warning where you validate the truthfulness of everything you stated on the application. Call me chicken, but that is all I need to keep me on the straight and narrow. Now realistically, how many people you personally know have ever seen your DL?
For information about individual state requirements, visit http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/…
Put yourself in a cop’s place. You pull over somebody driving erratically. They don’t respond well to basic commands, are belligerant or otherwise “off.” They make a move or gesture that your experience indicates could be threatening. Do you protect yourself and others, or do you look for a medic alert bracelet (perhaps hidden under a long sleeve shirt) and take a chance? Yeah, I feel sick for anybody having a low getting tasered, but it takes a rare confluence of events for that to happen.
As I understand it EMTs and emergency personnel are not PERMITTED o look in purse or wallet because there is a fear of being sued if something valuable (money, credit cards, etc) suddenly turns up missing afterwards.Not sure it applies everywhere, or only in some states or areas.
Getting back to the original question I’ve always told them I have diabetes. Once they go the initial statement from my doctor saying I hadn’t had any problems for the last 10 or more years they just note it in my file and I go on the normal renewal schedule.
Here in Ohio they have a “second card” system which requires anyone with such situations to carry a second car matching the driver’s license as a mandatory thing. When my doctor told them I hadn’t had any hypoglycemia while driving (which happens to be true) for the last 10+ years I was good to go.
I just renewed my driver’'s license for another 3 years (normal here) last month.
Maybe my 53 years experience has something to do with it?