November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. It's important to understand the connection between diabetes and driving safety because too many diabetic drivers get behind the wheel without taking important safety precautions first.

I was one of them. Several years ago I left the office where I worked to drive home. It was a 40-mile trip on a Florida highway that I knew like the back of my hand. And it was a clear, sunny day.

Shortly into the drive, where the speed limit is 70 mph, I began to sweat profusely and soon became disoriented. I didn't know that my blood sugar level was plummeting and that I was having a "hypoglycemic" event. I didn't know where I was and I was seeing double. I called my wife on my cell phone (don't ask me how, I don't remember). Somehow I brought the car to a stop. She was able to get medical help; they found me and poured a glucose fluid down my throat. While they quickly brought me back to "normal" it scared the hell out of me. That event could easily have ended in a crash with fatalities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are currently 26 million Americans with diabetes and that number is projected to reach 79 million by 2030. CDC is projecting that one-third of Americans could be diabetic by 2050.

Generally speaking, there is no way to predict when one might experience hypoglycemia. There are symptoms, such as lightheadedness, but clearly, for diabetic drivers one could feel fine one minute and be in trouble very soon after, --IF they don't take the proper steps to drive safely.

If you're diabetic, always KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. It doesn't matter if you're taking a five minute drive to the supermarket, or a 2-hour vacation trip. ALWAYS check your blood glucose (BG) level before you get behind the wheel. If you're near the low end of your proper range, consume the carbs or something that will bring your BG level where it needs to be before you go anywhere.

Always BE PREPARED. What happens if you're driving? Pull over. If you feel like your BG level may be going low, or if you're just a bit uneasy, keep a source of sugar nearby. A can of soda can be impractical and candy often melts. Glucose tablets with Dex-4 work quickly and consistently and that's what people with diabetes need. You should always keep a supply in your car, in your purse, briefcase etc. (Not all sugar sources work the same; glucose works rapidly and delivers reliable results.)

For your own peace of mind and for everyone's safety, if you know someone who is diabetic, please remind them to KNOW BEFORE THEY GO, and encourage them to keep some glucose tablets in the car, within easy reach. You can get them at any supermarket or drug store!