With sickness on the road
Sometimes the disease can give symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication. For example, patients with diabetes lose contact with the environment, weaken, have slow reactions with a sharp drop in blood sugar levels. What should I do if this situation occurs while driving? Is it possible to drive a car in this condition? How to react when we witness such an event? Renault driving school coaches advise.
Don't judge lightly
First of all, when we see a driver on the road who loses control of the vehicle and enters the adjacent lane, we must take care of our own safety, that is, slow down, be especially careful, and when the situation requires it, pull over to the side of the road, stop and call the police,” says Zbigniew Veseli, director of the Renault driving school. - Secondly, if such a driver stops, you should check if he needs help. It may happen that we are dealing, for example, with a person suffering from diabetes, who has just suffered a heart attack, or has passed out due to the heat. All of these health issues can lead to drunk driving-like behavior on the road, Veseli adds.
Sick or under the influence?
About 3 million people suffer from diabetes in Poland. Its main symptom is elevated blood sugar levels. However, there are hypoglycemia, then the blood sugar level drops very quickly. The patient in this state loses contact with the environment, can fall asleep for a split second or even lose consciousness. Such situations on the road are very dangerous. A diabetic patient can often be identified by a special bracelet that should help a person in case of hypoglycemia attacks. Usually he says: "I have diabetes" or "If I pass out, call the doctor." Drivers with diabetes should have something sweet in the car (a bottle of sweet drink, a candy bar, sweets).
Other reasons
Hypoglycemia is not the only cause of fainting. In addition, high fever, heart attack, low blood pressure, or the common cold can make drivers' behavior a threat to road safety. Witnesses of such dangerous events should not superficially assess the behavior of the driver, but should exercise due care and, if necessary, provide assistance.
A driver who is weakened and reacts slowly to changing situations is a danger on the road. If someone feels unwell before starting a trip, the driver should refrain from driving in such a state. If you feel weak, the driver of the car should stop on the side of the road, Renault driving school coaches remind.
How can I help?
When we see a casualty who has lost consciousness, we should call for medical help as soon as possible. However, if a person is conscious, we will try to find out what caused the fainting, we will provide assistance and, if necessary, call an ambulance. If the victim has diabetes, give him something to eat, preferably with a lot of sugar. It can be chocolate, a sweet drink, or even sugar cubes. In other cases, such as weakness due to low blood pressure or high temperature, gently lay the victim on their back, raise the victim's legs up and provide fresh air.
