TyreSafe and the Diabetes Safety Organisation join forces to tackle hidden risks on Britain’s roads this World Diabetes Day
On World Diabetes Day (14 November 2025), TyreSafe and the Diabetes Safety Organisation (DSO) are calling on UK employers and fleet operators to address one of the most under-recognised threats to road safety — the impact of diabetes on driving performance and fleet safety.
The renewed collaboration follows the two organisations’ successful Tread Safely campaign earlier this year and coincides with the launch of DSO’s new report, “Hiding in Plain Sight”, which exposes the scale of diabetes-related risks across the UK’s commercial road transport sector.
The findings are stark:
- People who drive for work are twice as likely to develop diabetes as the general population.
- Around 2 in 5 road transport employees already have diabetes.
- Up to 1 in 6 commercial drivers may be unknowingly living with type 2 diabetes.
- 58% of drivers surveyed reported experiencing a hypo (low blood sugar) at work, with 17% reporting a severe episode — some resulting in loss of consciousness.
- Drivers with neuropathy (nerve damage affecting the feet) lose pedal sensitivity and control, and are three times more likely to lose control of a vehicle in simulator tests.
- Up to 40% of insulin-treated drivers have not declared their condition to the DVLA, putting their licences and insurance at risk.
Kate Walker, CEO of the Diabetes Safety Organisation, said, “Diabetes is hiding in plain sight in our transport industry and the risks are far-reaching — from fatigue and delayed reactions to undiagnosed medical events behind the wheel. Employers have a duty to act. By implementing diabetes-friendly policies, conducting risk assessments, and promoting driver wellbeing, we can prevent avoidable crashes and protect both people and businesses.”
The Hiding in Plain Sight report also warns that failure to manage diabetes risk can result in criminal liability and unlimited fines under UK safety law. Yet with the right support, drivers with effectively managed diabetes are as safe and productive as any other driver.
TyreSafe’s Driving for Work campaign complements DSO’s findings by reinforcing the link between driver health and vehicle health. As part of the partnership, TyreSafe is encouraging fleets to combine regular driver health checks with TyreSafe’s simple ACT prompt — checking Air pressure, Condition, and Tread depth — to reduce preventable incidents.
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Tyre safety and driver health are two sides of the same coin. If a driver’s reactions or control are impaired, the condition of their tyres becomes even more critical. The data from ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ shows that diabetes is a real, measurable safety issue for fleets. By working together with the Diabetes Safety Organisation, we’re helping employers understand that safe tyres and healthy drivers are both essential for safe journeys.”
Together, TyreSafe and DSO are championing “Diabetes Safe, Tyre Safe” workplaces — encouraging employers to:
- Conduct regular diabetes risk assessments and driver wellbeing checks.
- Implement diabetes-aware fleet policies and provide appropriate support.
- Integrate tyre and vehicle safety checks into every daily inspection.
Because when it comes to preventing crashes, fit drivers and safe tyres save lives.
