Driving Impaired of Have Diabetes? When DUI “Indicators” Aren’t What They Seem

Imagine getting pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Palm Beach County. You’re feeling dizzy, shaky, and sweating profusely. The officer asks if you’ve been drinking, but you haven’t had a drop. Before you know it, you’re in handcuffs for driving under the influence (DUI).

This scenario isn’t rare. In fact, it happened to a retired deputy.  This scenario happens across Florida, individuals experiencing diabetic episodes are frequently mistaken for impaired drivers, because the physical and behavioral symptoms of diabetes, particularly hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), closely resemble the indicators police are trained to look for in DUI cases.

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Understanding DUI Indicators in Florida

Under Florida Statute §316.193, a person is guilty of DUI if they are driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances or have a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.08 or higher.

When officers suspect DUI, they look for “indicators of impairment,” which include:

• Bloodshot, watery eyes

• Slurred speech

• Confusion or disorientation

• Unsteady balance or poor coordination

• Odor of alcohol (real or perceived)

• Slow or delayed responses

• Mood swings or aggression

These are the same cues that form the foundation of field sobriety exercises and probable cause for arrest. But many of these signs can be caused by medical conditions, especially diabetes.

How Diabetes Can Mimic DUI Symptoms

Both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can cause serious physical and cognitive changes that look just like intoxication. Here’s how:

A person in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can have breath that smells fruity or like alcohol due to acetone buildup—a natural byproduct when the body breaks down fat for energy. To an officer unfamiliar with these symptoms, this can easily be mistaken for alcohol on the breath.

Real-World Confusion: When Medical Issues Lead to Wrongful DUI Arrests

Nationwide, there have been multiple cases of diabetic individuals wrongly arrested for DUI, even after insisting they were suffering a medical emergency.
For example, some motorists have been detained and even jailed despite registering 0.0 on breath tests, because officers assumed the device was malfunctioning.

In Florida, where DUI penalties are severe, including mandatory license suspension, fines, and possible jail time, this type of misunderstanding can have life-altering consequences for innocent drivers.

This issue is particularly relevant in Palm Beach County, where field sobriety testing is often used before any breath or blood analysis is conducted. Officers are trained to look for physical signs of impairment but not necessarily trained to recognize diabetic episodes.

The result: a driver in medical distress could be handcuffed instead of receiving emergency medical care.

Why Officers Mistake Diabetes for DUI

There are a few reasons this confusion happens frequently:

1. Similar behavioral cues. Hypoglycemia can cause the same motor coordination issues that alcohol does.

2. Acetone breath. Ketoacidosis often produces a sweet, alcohol-like odor.

3. Confusion and non-compliance. A person suffering from low blood sugar may appear belligerent or uncooperative simply because they’re disoriented.

4. Rapid onset. Symptoms can appear suddenly, often while driving, leading to unsafe or erratic vehicle operation.

5. Limited medical awareness. Many officers are not medically trained to differentiate between impairment and a health emergency.

Protecting Yourself if You Have Diabetes

If you are diabetic—or suffer from any condition that could be mistaken for impairment—here are steps to protect yourself:

1. Wear medical ID jewelry. A bracelet or necklace identifying you as diabetic can alert officers and emergency responders immediately.

2. Keep medical documentation in your vehicle. A note from your physician or diabetic alert card can be helpful.

3. Inform the officer calmly. If pulled over, tell the officer you are diabetic and may be experiencing a low or high blood sugar episode.

4. Request medical attention. Under Florida law, you have the right to seek medical care if you are in distress.

5. Do not attempt field sobriety tests if you are unwell. These tests are subjective and can be misinterpreted if you’re dizzy or shaky from low blood sugar.

6. Give a breath sample to show you are not impaired.   In Florida, refusal of a breath test is a separate charge.   If you are having an episode and not drinking you will not be penalized.  

Legal Defenses in a Diabetes-Related DUI Case

If you were arrested for DUI but believe your medical condition was mistaken for impairment, your attorney may pursue several strategies:

• Medical evidence defense: Medical records, blood glucose logs, or hospital documentation showing hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis at the time of arrest.

• Toxicology evidence: A 0.0 BAC or an inconsistent toxicology report can support your medical defense.

• Body camera footage: Often reveals slurred speech, confusion, or unsteady gait consistent with diabetic symptoms, not intoxication.

• Expert testimony: A medical expert can explain to the court how diabetes can mimic impairment symptoms.

• Suppression motion: If the arresting officer ignored clear medical distress, your attorney may move to suppress the evidence due to lack of probable cause.

At The Law Offices of Matthew Konecky, P.A., our experienced Palm Beach County DUI attorney have successfully defended clients whose medical conditions were mistaken for impairment, using expert testimony and scientific evidence to show that the officer’s observations did not equal intoxication.

The Stakes Are High: Especially for Professionals

For many of our clients, nurses, doctors, business owners, and other licensed professionals, a DUI charge isn’t just a legal problem. It can jeopardize their career, professional license, and reputation.

That’s why it’s critical to have an attorney who understands both the medical and legal complexities of DUI defense. We don’t just look at the arrest report, we look at the entire human story behind it.

Takeaway: Not Every “Impaired” Driver Is Drunk

Medical conditions like diabetes can mimic DUI indicators so closely that even experienced officers make mistakes. But a mistaken assumption shouldn’t cost you your freedom, your license, or your livelihood.

If you or someone you love was arrested for DUI in Palm Beach County and you believe a medical issue was misinterpreted as impairment, contact our experienced Palm Beach County DUI attorney immediately.

Contact Our Palm Beach County DUI Attorney Today!

We’ll review your case, obtain your medical records, and work with experts to prove your innocence and protect your record.