Drivers urged to keep hydrated behind the wheel

A new scientific study has highlighted the dangers of driving whilst dehydrated.

A simulator-based experiment carried out at Loughborough University has shown that drivers make twice as many mistakes when even mildly dehydrated, especially when travelling for long durations.

The levels of driver errors found in the dehydration test were of a similar severity to those found in people with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the current legal drink-driving limit.

Lane drifting, late braking and crossing the rumble strip or lane line more than doubled during the dehydration test.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: "While the serious effects of drink and drug driving are well known, much less attention is paid to other factors that can impair driving performance - so studies such as this are to be welcomed.

"It appears that just as keeping vehicle fluids like oil topped up helps maintain the health of your vehicle, it's worth keeping an eye on your own water intake as it may have an effect on your driving."

Professor Ron Maughan, who led the study, says the findings highlight an unrecognised danger on the roads, and recommends that drivers make sure they are properly hydrated before departing.

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