Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 often suffer complications that increase the risk of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). The patient may suffer from diabetic neuropathy with the symptom of numbness in the feet and hands. The complication decreases the hand’s ability to handle the vehicle, such as motorcycle. It decreases the response in riding and driving performances, like stopping the vehicle.

Visual impairment resulting from retinopathy further impairs the driving fitness of the patient with diabetes mellitus type 2. The patients are unable to catch objects on the road and adjust the distance between the vehicles. It increases the risk of crashes with other vehicles. The patient with diabetes mellitus type 2 likely gets tired and weak to the low insulin. The glucose in the blood cannot enter the cell to produce energy in mitochondria. Fatigue decreases concentration, causing the patient to be less responsive to the situations.

Author: Lucia Yovita Hendrati

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0020138322007124

Wen Hsuan Hou, Ya Hui Chang, Lucia Yovita Hendrati, Muhammad Atoillah Isfandiari, Chung Yi Li, I. Lin Hsu. Evaluation of motor vehicle crashes between scooter riders and car drivers after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in Taiwan. Injury. DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.09.049