A HUDDERSFIELD MP has backed a campaign to force diabetics to test their blood sugar levels before they get behind the wheel.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney has signed the petition after his friend’s brother was killed by a driver who fell into a diabetic coma.

James Pope, 41, brother of BBC Radio Leeds football commentator Adam Pope, was killed in November, 2009, after his car was hit head on by a Transit van.

The fatal smash near Chester happened after roofer Michael Dodd, 19, suffered a hypoglycaemic attack and fell unconscious at the wheel.

Dodd originally pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care.

But after a trial last January, he was jailed for three years for the more serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr Pope, who lives in Huddersfield, said the problem of diabetic drivers was a “ticking timebomb” and he hoped the law could be changed.

He said: “There’s no law that makes it mandatory for Type 1 diabetics to test their blood sugar levels before driving. There’s only advice from the DVLA and Diabetes UK.

“If it was mandatory they would know whether they were close to a level that would make them dangerous.

“If they don’t test it you’re talking about thousands of people who could have this type of accident.”

Mr Pope said they were in talks with Diabetes UK, the DVLA, and local road safety charities Brake and SCARD and was hopeful something would be done.

He added: “If this was law it would send out a massive warning to diabetics.

“The police do arrest people who’ve had hypoglycaemic attacks.

“Each diabetic is different but if you were made to test in the morning and at lunch time that would be a start.

“Some test five or six times a day, but it’s the ones who are hypoglycaemic unaware that are the danger.

“Some of the younger ones don’t get the warning signs.

“Ultimately this law is to protect them as well.

“If it had been law I’m convinced this would never have happened – it’s about protecting diabetics as much as innocent people.”

Mr McCartney said he had asked a parliamentary question in a bid to get the law changed.

He added: “We’re hoping it will be written into their licence so the full weight of the law could be used if something does happen.

“It’s not about persecuting them it’s just saying you won’t be able to have the excuse.”

A spokeswoman for Diabetes UK said they had been invited to take part in a consultation launched by the DVLA but could not yet comment on the matter.