We’re all aware that driving under the influence of a certain fluid, namely alcohol, is a terrible idea. But research suggests that lack of fluids in the body, also known as dehydration, could also be just as bad for your driving capabilities.
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A study in Science Direct involving 11 adult male drivers claims that even slight dehydration can cause people to lose their concentration and make mistakes behind the wheel. In the study, each of the drivers were taken through 3 rounds of driving simulation where sensors were used to track their brain activity.
The team discovered that dehydrated drivers were more likely to drift from lanes and break traffic rules and their errors were comparable to those of drunk drivers.
While the study has its limitations due to sample size and lack of real-world driver data, it is no secret that both drunk-driving and driving while tired increase the risk of road traffic accidents, and efforts have been made to educate drivers of the associated risks.
To be on the safe side, always keep a water bottle in the car or drink an extra glass of water at the beginning and end of your working day to avoid dehydrated driving.
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