Re: Diabetics and Drunk Driving

[Guest guest]

Barb Young wrote:

<< Diabetic drivers, not in good control, can drive

erratically, get pulled over for DWI, and the cops will smell something

sweet and similar to booze on their breath. True story. >>

I have read that a diabetic's body turns into a virtual liquor still at

death, and that diabetics involved in fatal accidents have been accused of

drunk driving. I asked a friend who is a police dispatcher about it, and he

wasn't aware of this phenomenon, so even if we were to wear an I.D. tag or

carry a card, and this info is accurate, we could be held responsible for

causing an accident by " drunk driving. " He did report several instances of

diabetics having hypos, stumbling and slurring their speech, and being

tossed into drunk tanks. I'm sure there have been deaths as a result of this

misunderstanding. We should carry identification tags or bracelets or wallet

cards.

I'll try to track down more info ... know just the guy to ask: an autopsy

doc in Kansas City who maintains some sprawling web pages.

Susie

[Guest guest]

Susie,

Just before my father died, he had his very first hypo, and it happened

while driving. He ran off the road, and the police arrested him for DUI

because they " smelled alcohol. " He called my sister inlaw to come help him.

She took a receipt from the doctor's office showing he was diabetic to

police headquarters, and they transported him to a hospital.

Re: Diabetics and " Drunk Driving "

>

>

> Barb Young wrote:

>

> << Diabetic drivers, not in good control, can drive

> erratically, get pulled over for DWI, and the cops will smell something

> sweet and similar to booze on their breath. True story. >>

>

> I have read that a diabetic's body turns into a virtual liquor still at

> death, and that diabetics involved in fatal accidents have been accused of

> drunk driving. I asked a friend who is a police dispatcher about it, and

he

> wasn't aware of this phenomenon, so even if we were to wear an I.D. tag or

> carry a card, and this info is accurate, we could be held responsible for

> causing an accident by " drunk driving. " He did report several instances of

> diabetics having hypos, stumbling and slurring their speech, and being

> tossed into drunk tanks. I'm sure there have been deaths as a result of

this

> misunderstanding. We should carry identification tags or bracelets or

wallet

> cards.

>

> I'll try to track down more info ... know just the guy to ask: an autopsy

> doc in Kansas City who maintains some sprawling web pages.

>

> Susie

>

> >