Suffer from a common cold would interfere with vigilance while driving. The Halfords Auto Center study reveals that 9% of UK drivers admitted to temporarily taking their eyes off the road due to a cold or flu. This would happen when they sneeze, blow their nose or reach for a tissue. Motorists can drive up to 15 meters with their eyes closed during a violent sneeze.
Increased reaction time
In addition, nearly 40% of the population would have gone to work this winter despite feeling ill. This equates to about a quarter of drivers who may experience unwellness driving because of a bad cold.
We can add to this the Side effects certain cold and flu medications that can put an end to alertness, the fact that in winter the roads are sometimes icy and night falls faster. As a result, nearly 2,500 accidents are to be deplored, during the cold season, on the roads in Great Britain because of drivers with colds…
The study’s authors suggest that those with colds should either avoid driving or leave the equivalent of four car lengths between themselves and other vehicles because their reaction time is slowed.
