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Difficulty: MediumIllness and Eyesight

While driving, a motorist with insulin-treated diabetes begins to experience early symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), such as shakiness and sweating. What should the driver do first?

  1. A
    Coast along the hard shoulder in neutral until the symptoms begin to subside
  2. Safely stop the vehicle as soon as possible, turn off the engine, and consume fast-acting sugarAnswer
  3. C
    Focus solely on the rear lights of the vehicle ahead and try to reach the next services
  4. D
    Flash headlights continuously to claim priority while maintaining cruising speed

Answer

Safely stop the vehicle as soon as possible, turn off the engine, and consume fast-acting sugar
If a driver with diabetes experiences symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), official DVLA and Highway Code guidelines mandate pulling over safely as soon as it is safe to do so, switching off the engine, removing the ignition keys, and consuming fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose sweets or a sugary drink. The driver must not continue driving until blood glucose levels are fully restored and stable.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the onset of an acute medical impairment (hypoglycaemia) while driving
Recognition that driving cannot safely continue
Hypoglycaemia impairs cognitive processing, coordination, and can quickly lead to loss of consciousness
2
Bring the vehicle to a safe, controlled stop at the earliest opportunity and secure it
Vehicle safely parked with the engine turned off and keys removed from ignition
Eliminates the immediate risk of a collision before physical symptoms worsen
3
Take fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets or a sugary drink
Blood glucose levels begin to recover safely away from active traffic
Treats the hypoglycemia directly before waiting the required recovery period before resuming driving

Key Concept

Driver medical fitness and managing sudden illness onset
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Illness and Eyesight

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