Dehydration has “same effects as drink-driving”
Drivers are being urged to recognise the dangers of driving while dehydrated, which can have the same effects as drink driving.
Research conducted by vehicle leasing company, Leasing Options, has revealed that more than two in three (67%) UK drivers fail to recognise major symptoms of dehydration, including:
- slower reaction times
- loss of focus
- muscle cramps
These [and others] can potentially put drivers and others at risk.
Health authorities recommend drinking around two litres of water a day, but Leasing Options found that 37% of those surveyed are only drinking one litre of water a day, with 18% drinking less than one litre a day.
Driver errors
The results of the survey also suggested that men are more aware of the risks involved than women, with 62% of male drivers admitting to being aware in comparison to 55% of female drivers.
Overall, 84% of drivers think drink driving is more dangerous than dehydrated driving, despite a study conducted by Loughborough University revealing that mild dehydration is equivalent to being over the drink driving limit with regard to its impact on driver errors.
Iain Temperton, Director of Communications at Road Safety GB, said: “Before you start a journey you should make sure your vehicle is prepared, but just as importantly you should ensure that you are ready and fit to drive.
“Driving on our ever more congested network is a task that requires full concentration. Making sure you are fully hydrated is a vital part of that process; the safety of vulnerable road users around you depends upon it.”
This eBook will guide you through some of the key understandings you need to be able to manage driver safety effectively and, at the end, provide a series of free resources you can access to help you ensure your own driver safety management system is robust, legally compliant and in line with industry-accepted good practice.
Download this eBook from Driving for Better Business and SHP to cover:
- Why do we need to manage driver safety?
- Duty of care – a shared responsibility;
- Setting the rules with a driving for work policy;
- Managing driver safety;
- Ensuring safe vehicles;
- Safe journeys and fitness to drive;
- Record keeping;
- Reporting;
- The business benefits of good practice;
- Additional resources
Dehydration has “same effects as drink-driving”
Research reveals 67% of UK drivers fail to recognise major symptoms of dehydration.
Alison Fava
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources Related Topics
CEO Spotlight – From the frontline to the forefront
Take time to pause, reflect and reset when preparing to tow
New RoSPA qualification targets driver confidence
Not the only risk factors associated with the manifestation and performance deficit found in too many of at the end of working day! Don’t forget Screen Fatigue or CVS more mirrors the degree of disassociation or attention deficit, greater than, the affects of alcohol one can legally drink and still pass a breath test! Eye Strain and cognitive fatigue fatigue lasts up to or more than 3 hours after coming off-screen so especially vulnerable to errors, minor mishaps and/or more serious accident. Self-medication with caffeine in too many coffee’s or energy drinks will heighten nervous state, be easily distracted, make… Read more »