Here’s how it can happen. You’re driving along the road one day when your body begins to go into hypoglycemia; you experience profuse sweating, sudden hunger, lightheadedness, shakiness, and a wave of nausea comes over you while reality begins to distort. You begin to veer your car, not able to fully comprehend what is happening.
A flash of blue and red lights behind you, because someone called the police and notified them there was a drunk driver on the road. You pull over, and the officer walks to your window. You are confused, scared even, and when you try to speak, your voice is slurred. The officer orders you to exit the vehicle, and when you stumble out, he asks you to take a breathalyzer test. You comply, barely comprehending, and thanks to your low blood sugar, despite not having a drop of alcohol or drugs in your system, you are arrested and thrown in jail for a DUI.
Unfortunately, this is the case for many individuals. Breathalyzers can also confuse low blood sugar, fasting, high protein/low carb diets, with alcohol.
The worst part about this, is that police officers are not equipped with the right tools to help them determine if you are a diabetic going into hypoglycemia, so expect to be arrested then and there
Here’s what to do if you are pulled over:
- Notify the police officer that you are diabetic and going into hypoglycemia
- Ask for a blood test and refuse the other tests. FST (field sobriety tests) and breathalyzers will only incriminate you. Especially because your blood sugar will affect the results of the breathalyzer test. You will almost certainly fail the FST (sober people fail it all the time), therefore NEVER consent to the FST.
- Ask for your lawyer as soon as you are taken into custody (if you are)
- Notify the officer that you have a debilitating medical condition and can die from hypoglycemia if you don’t receive medical help right away.
It’s unfortunate that many police officers are not aware of diabetes and how it can affect its victim’s behaviors when their blood sugar is too low or high. If you suffer with diabetes and are prone to hypoglycemia, you might consider carrying an emergency packet with you. The "emergency packet" could house proof of your medical condition, a copy of your license and registration, and your lawyer’s information. That packet might help you avoid going to jail, and could let the officer know that you might need serious medical help right away.
There are protections for citizens with illnesses that affect them, but it is different in every state. Make sure that you understand the laws and your rights, it will protect you in the long run.
More info: blog.dwispringfield.com
