Did I do the right thing?

[Pebbles167]

I've known 3 people with diabetes, with varying severity. They've all been able to more or less tell when they are in trouble.

Besides, the fact that this guy continued to drive says that he was conscious of his predicament and chose to continue anyway. Why does he even have a licence if he's prone to this? He needs a bus pass, not a van.

[carinaman]

Well done, you took action and achieved something that benefited others.

You're not the first and won't be the last to mistake someone having a diabetic episode for a drunk. It's easily done.

[LoonR1]

All these replies and not one mentions the obvious solution, which is to give him your mandatory can of Red Bull.

Not sure what you're expecting of yourself though. The guy appears pissed and that'd be enough for me, it's pretty unlikely I'd be carrying round the equipment for a triple heart bypass, just in case I bump into someone who needs it.

[LeftmostAardvark]

Thanks for the comments.

I had already used my emergency can of red bull to boost the bike's power enough to catch up with the van - it's only an asthmatic American V-twin after all. I wasn't expecting to make an instant diagnosis, but I was so certain he was pissed I hadn't even considered any other option. I guess I'm kicking myself for not realising it was a medical issue and possibly being able to respond a bit better.

I'm not sure how I feel knowing that he'll have another chance if this is his first episode. He was a complete liability and nearly caused four or five crashes in the space of just a few miles - cars swerving all over the place as he crossed right into the oncoming lane. I can only hope this was a very isolated incident.

[LoonR1]

Unless you're a doctor, I can't see how you're supposed to diagnose medical issues. Hopefully he'll have to do something for his doctor to convince him that he deserves a licence. I hope he's off the road personally until he can control it better.

[LeftmostAardvark]

I think I agree about wanting him off the road unless we can be sure it was a one-off - still feels weird to acting in a way to seriously impact someone else's licence and possibly livelihood. I'm sure I would do the same again, but I was so convinced he was drunk and so had no regard for him facing the legal repercussions. Now I know it was medical it doesn't feel so black and white. I'm guessing his insurance is going to take a fairly major hit too.

[moanthebairns]

I'm trained, twice in first Aid.

After I passed I was like florence nightingale, the second I saw someone requiring first aid response I was all over it like ants at a picnic.

After the fifth pissed guy that you've sat there putting on his side and getting covered in his pish I now simply just walk over them.

[LoonR1]

Peter Griffin

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiNjOIMsz9k

[gwm]

I was in a car accident years ago where I had stopped and a guy drove into the front corner at about 10mph, even though I was in full view of him and he was looking right at me.

He got out the car and was swaying all over the place. First thing I asked was if he was pissed! He turned out to be disabled, though again if you are not capable of completely controlling a car I don't agree you should be allowed a licence! Whatever to PC, think of the children, etc etc

[moanthebairns]

gwm said:

I was in a car accident years ago where I had stopped and a guy drove into the front corner at about 10mph, even though I was in full view of him and he was looking right at me.

He got out the car and was swaying all over the place. First thing I asked was if he was pissed! He turned out to be disabled, though again if you are not capable of completely controlling a car I don't agree you should be allowed a licence! Whatever to PC, think of the children, etc etc

Years ago I was paralytic, I’d been drinking since 9 in the morning and it was now tea time.

I stumbled out the toilets in a pub nearly falling over I was that gone.

The barman goes to me “right that’s it your out, your blind drunk”.

Quick as a flash I replied, “I’m not drunk I’m disabled but thanks for bringing it to my attention”.

Dear God he never knew what way to look, a huge apology was issued and a free round.

Needless to say I never got chucked out, but I had to walk with a limp like id shat myself for the rest of the night in that pub.

So whats my point, maybe he was lying, like me…

[Hooli]

moanthebairns said:

gwm said:

I was in a car accident years ago where I had stopped and a guy drove into the front corner at about 10mph, even though I was in full view of him and he was looking right at me.

He got out the car and was swaying all over the place. First thing I asked was if he was pissed! He turned out to be disabled, though again if you are not capable of completely controlling a car I don't agree you should be allowed a licence! Whatever to PC, think of the children, etc etc

Years ago I was paralytic, I’d been drinking since 9 in the morning and it was now tea time.

I stumbled out the toilets in a pub nearly falling over I was that gone.

The barman goes to me “right that’s it your out, your blind drunk”.

Quick as a flash I replied, “I’m not drunk I’m disabled but thanks for bringing it to my attention”.

Dear God he never knew what way to look, a huge apology was issued and a free round.

Needless to say I never got chucked out, but I had to walk with a limp like id shat myself for the rest of the night in that pub.

So whats my point, maybe he was lying, like me…

I call custard, I never heard of a Scotchish pub kicking drunks out.

[moanthebairns]

Hooli said:

moanthebairns said:

gwm said:

I was in a car accident years ago where I had stopped and a guy drove into the front corner at about 10mph, even though I was in full view of him and he was looking right at me.

He got out the car and was swaying all over the place. First thing I asked was if he was pissed! He turned out to be disabled, though again if you are not capable of completely controlling a car I don't agree you should be allowed a licence! Whatever to PC, think of the children, etc etc

Years ago I was paralytic, I’d been drinking since 9 in the morning and it was now tea time.

I stumbled out the toilets in a pub nearly falling over I was that gone.

The barman goes to me “right that’s it your out, your blind drunk”.

Quick as a flash I replied, “I’m not drunk I’m disabled but thanks for bringing it to my attention”.

Dear God he never knew what way to look, a huge apology was issued and a free round.

Needless to say I never got chucked out, but I had to walk with a limp like id shat myself for the rest of the night in that pub.

So whats my point, maybe he was lying, like me…

I call custard, I never heard of a Scotchish pub kicking drunks out.

I've been chucked out loads, always for falling asleep, once even in a stripers.

[crofty1984]

LeftmostAardvark said:

I think I agree about wanting him off the road unless we can be sure it was a one-off - still feels weird to acting in a way to seriously impact someone else's licence and possibly livelihood. I'm sure I would do the same again, but I was so convinced he was drunk and so had no regard for him facing the legal repercussions. Now I know it was medical it doesn't feel so black and white. I'm guessing his insurance is going to take a fairly major hit too.

You know, if he's not able to control the vehicle for medical reasons and ploughs into a group of people, they come back to life the second it's proved he was medically unfit, not simply drunk.