While diabetes is considered a common but manageable health condition, it’s also one that seriously affects up to 10% of American residents. Diabetes can occur at birth or be acquired with age and causes the pancreas to stop producing the right amount of insulin to regulate blood glucose. If a person’s blood sugar remains unmanaged, their circulatory system becomes damaged and may result in organ death.

Diabetes can also mimic intoxication when glucose levels are too high or low, which may be problematic when stopped while driving. Here’s what to do after a DWI arrest and how we can help.

Hypoglycemia Can Make You Appear Intoxicated

Hypoglycemia occurs when a person’s blood sugar becomes so low that they appear intoxicated, slurring their words or swaying as though they are drunk or might pass out.  They could potentially do well on a breathalyzer but are less likely to pass field sobriety tests.

A Breathalyzer Test Can Confuse High Blood Sugar & Alcohol

If your blood glucose is too high, you could also be suspected of intoxication if your breath test results are also high. But the culprit in a diabetic’s case is more likely to be “mouth alcohol.” This makes a person’s breath smell “sweet,” and when paired with a red face, lethargic responses, and urinary urgency, it can easily lead a police officer to believe that the suspect he has pulled over is drunk.

Tips For Diabetics to Stay Safer On the Road

Take the below steps to reduce the likelihood of getting stopped by the police for driving drunk:

• Take a reading of your blood glucose immediately before getting behind a wheel.
• Be sure to take emergency supplies with you like glucose syrup or tablets and insulin.
• Do not keep driving if you feel like your blood glucose is off-kilter or too low or high.
• Pull over and check it, and take insulin or use glucose tablets or gel to adjust your readings until they are within normal limits for you.
• Make the fact that you have a health condition like diabetes well-known.

How to Get Help After a DWI Arrest

Securing qualified legal advocacy after a drunk driving arrest is imperative. Take action quickly by calling Ocean City, Maryland criminal defense attorney Richard Brueckner at 410-430-1464. We are available now to take your call and provide you with comprehensive support.