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Diabetes plea after fatal crash

Suzanne Meredith,

here with husband Julian, worked with diabetics

The family of a nurse killed by a diabetic driver who crashed after a blackout have urged other sufferers to take care to monitor their condition.

Suzanne Meredith, 54, died and her husband Julian was badly hurt when they were struck by Phillip Willey's car.

Willey, 46, from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving.

Diabetes UK also urged diabetic drivers to be extra vigilant on the roads for the safety of themselves and others.

Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC told Willey he was guilty of "gross mismanagement" of his condition as he sentenced him to four-and-a-half years at Cardiff Crown Court.

The court was told Willey "mowed down" mother-of-three Mrs Meredith as he drove home while she and her husband were walking in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, near their home.

It emerged in court that Willey, who had been diabetic for 10 years, did not carry sweets, Lucozade or food which could prevent a hypoglycaemic attack - where there is a shortage of glucose (or sugar) in the brain.

He had not attended at his diabetes clinic for six years and did not attend his annual review of provide blood glucose test results.

Following the court case the Meredith family urged diabetics to carefully monitor their condition.

"If just one life can be saved and just one family can be spared the suffering we will have to endure for the rest of our lives, then Suzanne's life would not have been in vain," their relatives said.


Phillip Willey did not notify the DVLA about his diabetes, the court heard

Cathy Moulton, a care advisor for Diabetes UK, said diabetics had to inform the DVLA of their condition.

They were also given advice on driving by doctors and nurses, but she added: "Obviously there will be some people who slip through the net.

"The problem is driving is very stressful and the release of adrenaline can alter blood glucose levels."

Among the advice given to drivers with diabetes is to check their blood sugar levels before they drive, carry sweets or high sugared drinks in the car.

They are also urged to stop as soon as they feel an attack coming on.

But Ms Moulton said people with diabetes had to monitor their condition "throughout their lives, day in day out".

"It is for their own safety and that of others," she added.

While Willey had undoubtedly been irresponsible, given that there was no intent or deliberate recklessness, what purpose is served by jailing him for 4½ years?

Cathy Moulton, a care advisor for Diabetes UK, said diabetics had to inform the DVLA of their condition

A guide for drivers with diabetes treated by tablets and or diet
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Informing DVLA
The law requires you to inform DVLA if any of the following occur:
• you require treatment with insulin
• you require laser treatment to both eyes for retinopathy, or the remaining eye if one eye only
• if both eyes, or remaining eye if one eye only, are affected by other eye problems, (you are required by law to be able to read, with corrective lenses if necessary, a car number plate in good light at 20.5 metres (67 feet) or 20 metres (65 feet) where narrower characters 50mm wide are displayed)
• you develop problems with the circulation or sensation in the legs, which make it necessary for you to drive certain types of vehicles only, eg automatic vehicles or modifications to a vehicle, hand operated accelerator brake. This must be noted on the licence
• an existing medical condition deteriorates or you develop any other condition which may affect safe driving at any time in the future

ADVICE TO DIABETIC DRIVERS
Inform the DVLA of your condition see above
For those who use insulin - nah! EVERY diabetic, check your blood sugar levels regularly
If you are on a long journey, stop to check your levels every two hours not necessary so often when one is accustomed to managing the condition
Always carry sweets and non-diet drinks in case of a hypoglycaemic attack YES YES YES
If you feel an attack coming on, stop somewhere safe, remove keys from ignition and have a sugary snack or drink
Source: Diabetes UK

While Willey had undoubtedly been irresponsible, given that there was no intent or deliberate recklessness, what purpose is served by jailing him for 4½ years?

Telling the DVLA will only put your insurance up so I can see why people might not.

I know someone...and from what I've heard the insurance is quite excessively expensive

Some while ago, having been insured for some years with the same company who were aware of my diabetes and the method of treatment/control, I was denied an offer of renewal. The susequent telephone conversation went something like:

"You have declined to offer renewal of my policy. Why?"
"Because you have an undeclared medical condition"
"Oh! What condition is that?"
"You're diabetic"
"Yes I am...and if I've not declared it to you, how do you know?"
"But you haven't told DVLA"
"Because I'm not required to"

A renewal was subsequently offered...but the point I'm making is the communication between the insurers and DVLA - even if, between them, they couldn't get the facts right.

Eh? Are you saying that the insurance company had access to your confidential medical history? Really? How?

And How dare they?

As cabbie mentioned, the insurance company already knew, they probably checked with the DVLA. I wouldn't be surprised if the DVLA/Insurance/MOT database shows this information.

But Cabbie also said he hadn't informed DVLA because he was not obliged to do so.

Some while ago, having been insured for some years with the same company who were aware of my diabetes and the method of treatment/control...

"Yes I am...and if I've not declared it to you, how do you know?"

I was going to say because



but then he also posted



Is it possible that he was being ironic? The insurance company complained about an undeclared condition when the only reason they checked with the DVLA was because he had already informed the insurance company.

Problem is the stigma attached due to those who are on insulin and not monitoring their levels.

Any insulin dependent diabetic who doesn't monitor blood glucose is on a dangerous course - both for themselves and (if driving) for other road users.

While Willey had undoubtedly been irresponsible, given that there was no intent or deliberate recklessness, what purpose is served by jailing him for 4½ years?

I know someone who is insulin dependant and from what I've heard the insurance is quite excessively expensive.