The most recent research carried out by the RAC has concluded that one in 20 drivers suffer from sleep apnoea syndrome. The condition can be responsible for people falling asleep at the wheel and would lead to a highly dangerous driving situation.
Further research has also shown that lower back pain can increase the potential for a crash because slower responses are often the result of this type of condition. The driver would not be able to break as quickly as a normal competent driver and so could then be responsible for any collision that occurs.
Cardiff University have now also become involved and have confirmed that colds and flus can reduce our concentration by more than 50%.
If we are aware that our driving could become impaired due our illness then we could be knowingly putting ourselves into situations where the potential for an accident is far higher than normally would be the case. Scientists also confirm that taking medicines etc to treat a dose of the flu can in fact only serve to make matters worse. The most popular brands can cause drowsiness and again that makes driving a very bad idea indeed.
Research by website Confused.com, in partnership with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, found that one in seven motorists who has taken cold or flu medication containing codeine has suffered side-effects at the wheel.
By Martyn Walsh, motoring offences solicitor
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