Diabetic driver crashes after falling into coma

A driver who collapsed into a diabetic coma and whose vehicle crashed into four parked cars in Auckland is likely to face a dangerous driving charge, police say.

The 40-year-old man suffered minor injuries when his car drifted on to the opposite side of Great North Rd, Waterview, at 11.20am on Wednesday, ploughing into the cars.

No one else was involved in the accident.

Constable Phil Ryan said the man would probably face a charge of dangerous driving.

He said due to the man's medical condition it was out of police jurisdiction to revoke his licence - that would be a matter for Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ).

Mr Ryan said he could recall two other driver error incidents relating to diabetes.

Such drivers should have their licences revoked until they had their diabetes under control, he said.

Diabetes New Zealand national president Murray Dear said drivers with type one diabetes - those who were insulin-dependent and at most risk of a hypoglycaemic episode or drop in blood sugar levels - should test their glucose levels before going on a long journey.

"Let's be quite honest, it's a matter of people using their common sense."

Mr Dear said people with type one diabetes (11,000 out of 125,000 New Zealand diabetics) usually needed a note from their doctor confirming they were safe to drive.

According to LTNZ, a person "who experiences a severe hypoglycaemic episode whilst driving, irrespective of whether a crash occurred or not, should be advised to stop driving".

- NZPA