Diabetic and got caught speeding?

Question

Brits only please. I was flashed at 65mph in a 50 zone. Im diabetic and felt a low blood sugar coming on. I stress I was still ok to drive, not dangerous or anything, I just wanted to get to petrol station to treat myself, so I put my foot down. Has anyone used this as a mitigating circumstance. I havent received the dreaded letter yet, and dont know where I stand, if I use this reason.

Answer 1

Keep some granola bars with you.

Answer 2

Why did you feel the need to get to a petrol station? If you're diabetic, you should know that it's wise to always keep a snack of some kind, in your car/bag/pocket.  A few plain crackers,  some fruit, a few biscuits or something would suffice.

Do you think the police would let someone get away with speeding if the person said they'd got diarrhoea and had to get to a toilet?  No.  You know the law, and we all have to abide by it

Answer 3

Have you let the DVLA know that you are a diabetic?

Answer 4

fine and points they will say you should not have been driving you should have stoped and asked for assistance

Answer 5

I do not think it would help in a court. If you felt your sugar levels are down, then you need to stop driving and eat something. It's good to always keep something in the car or in your pocket.

I am sure if you admitted that was the reason for driving so fast, then a court case would follow and the very least it could be the suspension of your licence.

Good Luck.

Take care and keep those levels, level.

Answer 6

I would have to say that I would be worried about opening a can of worms here in that you saying your condition affected the way you were driving (albeit indirectly).

Do remember that not all flashes result in any action.

Answer 7

Sorry, but It won't work. You should have had something to eat with you but you don't need that lecture again! Low sugar IS dangerous when driving so using that as an excuse will make it worse. The DVLA may revoke your license and your insurance company may have a problem too, especially if its Type 1, Insulin dependant diabetes.

The police will not care what the reason was. You broke the law, quite badly, so you will have to take the punishment.

Answer 8

I take it you weren't satisfied with the response you received last week, even though you voted it Best Answer?  You won't have a leg to stand on as you were 'driving under the influence'.  I'm not a lawyer or anything like that, but I can't see how it could be construed as a mitigating factor.  I would say that you should have pulled over to the side of the road and removed the key from the ignition to prevent yourself from causing an accident.

You know yourself that the sensible thing to do would have been to check your blood sugar level before you drove.

Answer 9

I'm sure you don't need a lecture on whether or not you should have had something to eat in your car with you!  That wasn't the point of your question!   You should, in the eyes of the law, have pulled over as soon as it was safe and legal to do so once you became aware that your sugar levels were dropping.  However, as a fellow diabetic, I can appreciate that pulling up somewhere a distance away from where you can get food could have put you at risk - depending on whether you are Type one or Two, and what kind of meds you are on.  what you might have done differently was actually slow down and take it easy to get somewhere that sold food and I think that is a lesson learnt.  I agree with those who say that, by trying to use this in mitigation, you will make matters worse.  I think you have to chalk this one up to experience and take it on the chin!  Oh, and you don't have to report your condition to the DVLA unless you are taking Insulin.

Answer 10

I really can't see how this would be a mitigating circumstance. If anything it will work against you.

Answer 11

I'm not a Brit, but here in the U.S. if you bring up that you were driving with low blood glucose, you're opening up a whole can of worms.  They could suspend your license or at a minimum require you to go to a series of doctor's appointments to get "clearance" to drive again.  If I were you I would just pay the ticket and stay quiet about the low BG.  But you need to pull over as soon as you feel those symptoms coming on and treat yourself, then wait a few minutes before driving again.  Also make sure to check your BG before you start the engine.  It's not worth it...you could kill yourself or others if you push it.  

Answer 12

Surely if you become hypo you are temporarily unfit to drive. You should stop, not speed up and risk an accident. Perhaps a fine will help you think!

Answer 13

I can't see this being used as a mitigating circumstance, as you should have made sure you'd treated yourself properly before getting into your car - in fact it should have been done before you left your house - in order to prevent this happening.

If you were caught speeding, then I'd explain what happened, and see if the police can show a little compassion - my feeling is that they will consider this a self inflicted illness and insist you pay the penalty and accept the licence endorsement that will accompany the fine.

In future, may I suggest that you make sure you're fit to drive BEFORE you leave home? It'll save the hassle and may save someone's life - possibly yours!!

Answer 14

Sorry but there is no excuse for speeding. If you felt a hypo starting you should have stopped and treated it.

Remember if necessary you can inject insulin through the upper arm rather than the stomach or thigh.

I would suggest that in future check the blood sugar before you start to drive, eat a decent meal and  

Answer 15

Hey there,

I know you said "Brit's only", but I manage the mobile speed camera operations in Victoria Australia... That answer just won't fly! Given the fact that you know you're diabetic, and that you should always carry chocolate, lollies, etc... with you, the point being that you didn't, you sped to get to a servo, you pose a danger to other motorists...

Basically, if you receive an infringement in the mail, grin and bear it!