The third and final Grand Prize winner of this year’s 2010 DiabetesMine Design Challenge is Barbara McClatchey, mother of teenage boy with diabetes living in Collierville, Tennessee. She’s been a computer programmer for many years, and she and her husband both work for FedEx Corp. She’s also been heavily involved in her local JDRF chapter for 11 years, serving on the Board of Directors for the past seven.
Barb was honored for her concept called Test Drive, a safeguard system to prevent diabetics from getting behind the wheel of a car when in danger of hypoglycemia:
The concept may be controversial, but the judges felt it had far-reaching potential to help PWDs. I discussed this with Barb last week:
DM) Barb, you obviously got this idea because of your own fears about your son, correct?
BM) Yes, Ryan was diagnosed at age 7. He’s now about to enter college, six hours hours away from us at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, the exact opposite end of the state. I’m not happy about it. But I know other people have done it and come out OK.
Has he had any accidents or issues with lows while driving?
Thank goodness no. When he gets in the car, he’ll say, ‘I’ve tested recently enough.’ But what if he didn’t? He’s a good kid, he stays out of trouble, makes good grades, but he’s lazy about his diabetes. And what if others are even lazier? It’s scary.
I think driving safety with diabetes is a big issue, especially among parents of new drivers. It’s kind of a niche that needs to be addressed.
Some people, including myself, worry that ‘Test Drive’ could be seen as punitive — restricting the driving privileges of PWDs (people with diabetes). Isn’t that a major obstacle to a system like this?
My intention is to save lives and keep people healthy, not to hold people hostage. I see it as a safety system for new drivers in particular, or people who might have hypoglycemic unawareness.
The judges mentioned expanded uses for this as well, like helping PWDs qualify for jobs that they’re currently restricted from. For example, my son will be starting off as a business major, and then attend Delta State Aviation college to get some type of Aviation Management Degree. He originally wanted to be a pilot, but couldn’t because of the diabetes.
They say PWDs are not limited in job choices except in the military and as airline pilots — but in essence they’re banned from all driving positions, including certain police positions. I can’t quote statistics, but I know those limitations exist.
We thought it could be important for record-keeping as well, possibly for insurance or liability purposes?
Right. In the video, it mentions potential integration with the in-dash video display. Perhaps the CGM could communicate with the in-dash display {like Medtronic demonstrated at last year’s ADA conference}. It could be considered the same as the ‘black box‘ people can now buy that records their speed, location, how fast they take turns, etc.
The way I understand it right now, anytime a diabetic is involved in a car accident, the burden of proof automatically falls on the PWD to prove that they weren’t experiencing a low blood sugar that caused them to drive unsafely. A system like this would provide them with data proof that they were safe to set out.
This obviously isn’t something you can build on your own, but how can you use your idea to make an impact for improved driving safety with diabetes?
Market research would be the first step. The first thing to do would be to commission a study to get the real numbers on dangers and accidents due to hypoglycemia.
I was originally thinking more along the lines of marketing this to parents of teenagers who are new drivers. But we’d also need to look into the potential market for this as a tool to help eliminate barriers to jobs and use for record-keeping for insurance purposes. With HIPAA privacy restrictions, I don’t know if it’s possible to get that information.
What about working with the JDRF or other organizations to lobby the industry to help implement diabetes driving safeguards?
I think if the market research shows that this is a viable product to pursue, then I am absolutely on board and 100% there!
Thank you, Barb. We would most definitely encourage you to keep drawing attention to the oft-overlooked issue of driving safety with diabetes.
This strikes me as a lot little demanding a breathalyzer sometimes mandated by the courts for those involved in drunk-driving accidents before a car will start. While I can see the desire for parents to control every element of their child with diabetes’, I would hope that by the time a child is old enough to drive a car, they’ve demonstrated sufficient maturity to also test before driving. If a kid cannot demonstrate that, then the burden is on the parents to say no to allowing the kid to get their driver’s license. But the biggest hole in this device is that while someone may be fine at the time they start the car, blood glucose levels can drop (and often rapidly), and this device fails to address that. Also, what’s to stop a friend from taking the test on their behalf? I’m not convinced the world really needs this product, or that PWD’s will really have much benefit from it.
I agree with the above comment. Parents need to be responsible enough to say “no” if a child will not test responsibly. If a PWD won’t test then he or she also can find several ways around this system. Sorry, but I feel that there is a need for many more items related to diabetes management but not this device. PWD’s already have a way to see if it is safe to drive.This is disappointing. Laura
I initially liked this idea, as I have a teenage son who just began driving. He just got his permit and will get his license soon. But after further thought, I think I would just prefer to check his meter frequently to see if he indeed tested. If he fails my “spot checks”, he will lose his driving privileges.
Maybe if we had more reliable CGM, and this integrated a CGM system instead, I could get behind it. Even then its a maybe. Otherwise, there are other areas I would much rather see the money (and energy) go.
I’m sadly a tad disappointed that this won the judges’ approval.
What I’d love is a way to test WHILE driving — a gadget that I could stick my finger into on the dashboard, rather than having to open a bottle, access a strip, place it into a meter, prick a finger, and, worst of all — b/c it requires taking your eyes off the road for a split second — placing a drop on the strip.
I can’t imagine any adult T1′s do not sometimes test while driving – at a stoplight, or on a long highway drive, for example. It’s important information we need and, like every other way in which we lead our lives, we incorporate it into what we do. So I was all excited for the tester I could install on my dashboard and get a reading while driving. This one, sorry to say, sounds punitive and somewhat demeaning (going so far as to compare it with drunk driving, which also seems a bit crass to me).
Like every other person commenting on this video, it is a good idea…. IF it was a real problem. 99.9% of diabetics know when they are low. This only helps them when they start driving, not if they drop while driving. A reliable CGM would be much more beneficial. Your video makes it sound like diabetics are similar to drunk drivers in that they know their sugar is low and they drive anyway, recklessly. However, this isn’t the case. You are calling diabetics unresponsible, unlawful and belligerent. There is no data to suggest there is enough “low drivers” for a device like this, and no insurance company will get behind it when a cheap CGM is more accurate, especially during driving, and more affordable. It is clear you are not a diabetic and your son does not intentionally drive “low.” What you need is a CGM and to make sure your son recognizes the obvious signs/feelings of low blood sugar levels not an overly expensive mandated device that only works for a fraction of actual drive time.
Like most of the other comments posted, I think this would be a great idea….IF this was a real prs ng. Also, you video makes it sound as if diabetics are driving “Low” on purpose like drunk drivers, which isn’t the case. An accurate CGM would solve all these problems without the expensive interface into an automobile. Plus. 99.9% of diabetics know when they are low. This isn’t a real problem effecting many diabetics, and you cannot find any substantial data to support a need for a device like this. And I GUARANTEE you the picture you used is from a drunk driver, not a diabetic. I am actually ashamed you would compare the two. If your son has problem with “Low” driving he is a minority and the rest of us shouldn’t be held responsible for his neglect.
If a breathalyzer will figure my BG out before I drive my mom’s car [note, I'm 42, I'm not gonna say how old my mom is...], why can’t I go buy one at the drugstore?
@ Ryan H – You are entitled to your opinion, but there is no need for you to be so belligerent. A few points to clarify for the sake of other readers:
* This entry does NOT in any way imply that diabetics are “unresponsible, unlawful and belligerent.” You are reading a ton of negativity into this…
* Neither does the video suggest that diabetics are KNOWINGLY or intentionally driving when low (that is ludicrous). This system is meant to help us PWDs determine if we might be too low to drive safely
* I have posted many pictures here from numerous nasty car crashes that WERE unfortunately the result of hypoglycemia
* Lashing out at Barb’s son is just rude
I understand that there are some concerns about a system like this, as stated in the interview. But let’s not get hysterical.
Rather, I’d like to hear your and anyone’s else’s legitimate new & innovative ideas to avoid hypos behind the wheel. Thanks!
@AmyT
This is an idea that does not even come close to the K-I-S-S (keep it simple stupid) methodology and does smell somewhat punative.
We already have a device that does this function — glucometers, cgms, etc. A better solution (if you are trying follow KISS) would be to have a an car-key cover that says “test yet?” and is easily pushed aside before inserting it into the ignition (it would flip back to cover the key after use). It’s a soft “nudge” that most people need – not a complicated system that locks down the car (what I think their product wants to do).
A simple <$5 peice of plastic. Did we just solve that same problem without any technology?
Let JDRF/ADA/Drs offices hand them out and have BG meter companies co-brand it/include it with a new meter package.
Wow this “Test Drive” Idea sounds really great! I think ideas such as this one should be considered and discussed to help jumpstart more conversations about driving safety for all kinds of people. This idea obviously came from someone concerned about diabetics, not only for their safety and others on the road, but to help with job qualifications and insurance liability. I can see something similar to this being applicable for lots of people with various health issues, including the senior citizen population. Lots of people who aren’t diabetic often experiences weakness and dizzy spells from low blood sugar and don’t even realize what’s happening. Thanks Barbara for suggesting this idea and being concerned and brave enough to put your thoughts out there to share with others. Thanks to all the people who are constantly trying to think of innovative new ideas to encourage more discussions like this and possibly create some future devices that can really help make a difference in quality of life and saving the lives of others.
There you go, Cary. Thanks for your input.
@Amy,
>>You are entitled to your opinion, but there is no need for you to be so belligerent.
I didn’t find Ryan’s comment belligerant, but that’s just me. My non-diabetic hubby watched the video with me (coincidentally he was in the office when I played it) and his jaws dropped when we both realized what this device is and does. We were just stunned by the implications of this device, and by the comparison with drunk driving (the visuals said it all). (and, of course, if someone accidentally used a photo of a drunk driver, um, well, that’s kinda bad…)
If you read most of the other opinions above, I just think this idea gives a lot of us the willies – including me. I was diagnosed at 15 and drove after receiving my license at 16. I learned responsibility, which included being on top of my diabetes, as well as knowing not to drink and drive (or, really, not to drink and bolus, as a PWD). But most of us survive adolescence. Even if we live six hours away from our parents.
I, too, am surprised that with all the great ideas out there, that this one struck the judges as phenomenal, but what do I know? My first reaction was, there are a lot of worried parents out there who let thoughts of their kids being harmed impede their judgment about what T1 kids really need (and I agree with Ryan – a good CGM with a good alarm system is all that’s needed). My 2c.
PS I am also giving Ryan the benefit of the doubt that he only posted twice when it appeared his first one did not “go through,” which occasionally happens on the site.
PS I do kinda doubt the stat that 99.9% of us PWD T1′s know when we’re low, I also do like the idea — it boosts my confidence in my own (non-autonomic nervous system response) cues.
I’m stunned by the negativity surrounding this entry. I work in a design environment and such behaviour only achieves one thing – the stifling of future innovation. Everyone’s points are valid but there are ways of expressing them without attacking. One quick point, if you were standing in court after being involved in an accident where someone was seriously hurt or killed, how useful would it be to be able to prove that diabetes had nothing to do with it? That wouldn’t just help you but all diabetics who could end up being stigmatised. For what’s it worth, I think there are issues with the concept but it would presumably be voluntary? Could reduce your car insurance too.
@T1 – Just so you know, Ryan sent me a few private flamer emails as well, in which he was quite insulting. Not appreciated!
bummer. I could tell you were very upset, but assumed it was just in response to what we could all read on the blog. I’ll take heed of Joe90′s comment that how we express a negative reaction to a new idea may indeed stifle more new ones. Didn’t mean to be such a tough audience.