UK drivers with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes were more likely to stop if feeling hypoglycaemic compared to US drivers (46% vs 24%, p<0.001), though both groups showed risky behaviors.
Cross-Sectional (n=500)
Yes
Are there differences in diabetes-related driving behaviors between adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in the UK versus the US?
Significant proportions of insulin-treated T2D drivers in both the UK and US exhibit risky driving behaviors, with UK drivers more likely to stop for hypoglycemia and US drivers more likely to eat and continue driving.
Absolute Event Rate: 46% vs 24%
p-value: p=<0.001
Introduction and Objective: Driving can be impacted by diabetes and the potential risk of hypoglycaemia. Rules and regulations vary between countries but the extent to which they are shared or followed is unclear. Methods: Online survey administered to UK (100) and US(400) based participants. To compare diabetes related driving behaviours in adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Results: The UK cohort was younger (age 46, 56% vs 30%, p 0.001) and more likely using basal insulin alone (57% vs 51%; p=0.03) with the rest on multiple daily injections or insulin pumps. A higher proportion of US drivers reported target time in range of 70% (39% vs 25%). More UK drivers reported severe hypoglycaemia and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia than the US (57% vs 46%, p=0.075). UK drivers were more likely to stop if they felt hypoglycaemic (46% vs 24%, p0.001), whereas US drivers were more likely to have carbohydrates and continue driving (40% vs 23%, p0.001). UK drivers were more likely to run higher glucose while driving (52.5% vs 32%, p0.001), despite similar levels of concern about hypoglycaemia. More than half of the drivers from both countries reported not carrying glucose meters and strips (UK 60.7% vs US 62%, p =0.196). Conclusion: Significant proportion of drivers in both countries showed risky behaviours such as not carrying glucose monitoring equipment, but UK drivers were more likely to stop if low and ran themselves higher. Disclosure A.W. Paracha: None. D. Kerr: Stock/Shareholder; Current; Glooko, Inc. Research Support; Current; Abbott Diabetes. K. Barnard-Kelly: Research Support; Current; Abbott Diabetes, Dexcom, Inc. P. Choudhary: Advisory Panel; Current; Medtronic. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Medtronic. Research Support; Current; Medtronic. Consultant; Current; Medtronic. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Abbott. Advisory Panel; Current; Abbott. Research Support; Current; Abbott. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Dexcom, Inc. Advisory Panel; Current; Dexcom, Inc. Research Support; Current; Dexcom, Inc. Consultant; Current; Dexcom, Inc. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Insulet Corporation. Advisory Panel; Current; Insulet Corporation. Research Support; Current; Insulet Corporation. Consultant; Current; Insulet Corporation. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Sanofi. Consultant; Current; Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Lilly. Advisory Panel; Current; Lilly. Consultant; Current; Lilly. Advisory Panel; Current; Ypsomed AG. Advisory Panel; Ended; Embecta. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Roche Diabetes Care. Research Support; Current; Roche Diabetes Care. Consultant; Current; Roche Diabetes Care. Advisory Panel; Current; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Consultant; Current; Glooko, Inc., Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd, vTv Therapeutics.
PARACHA et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (n=500). UK residency vs. US residency was evaluated on Stopping driving if feeling hypoglycaemic (p=<0.001). UK drivers with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes were more likely to stop if feeling hypoglycaemic compared to US drivers (46% vs 24%, p<0.001), though both groups showed risky behaviors.
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