As the cold and flu season kicks in, how does this affect people’s ability to drive? When we are sick and are made to drive, we may be putting ourselves and others at risk.
When you are down with flu, you do not feel like you want to do a thing, let alone drive. Unfortunately, the individualist culture leaves most people lost for options meaning they must get around to get groceries to go to work and run other errands.
Many people don’t see a problem with driving while showing cold symptoms such as coughing or fever. However, studies show that the practice can significantly impact a person’s ability to operate a vehicle.
What the Studies Show
A study conducted by Young Marmalade, a British Insurance company, and Halfords, a bicycle accessory manufacturer, showed a significant decrease in a driver’s awareness level when they have cold symptoms.
The researchers used a telematics box which works more like an airplane’s black box, to record driving behavior for two groups—the first group comprised healthy individuals, and the other individuals showed symptoms of a cold. The healthy individuals had an excellent driving rating of 95 percent, while the group with drivers showing cold symptoms had a 60 percent rating.
The study also showed that reaction times for drivers with cold symptoms declined sharply. According to the researchers, braking and cornering became more erratic, with drivers showing less awareness of their surroundings.
OTCs Make the Situation Worse
While there is no data to show the number of accidents caused by sick drivers, insurance companies believe they could be responsible for thousands of accidents yearly. “The situation becomes direr when a sick individual takes over-the-counter (OTC) cold medication,” says accident lawyer Brandon Kinard of KGS Law PLLC.
Many OTCs have Benadryl or diphenhydramine and alcohol that can cause drowsiness, increasing the chances of an accident. Some types often have labels warning users not to drive or operate machinery after taking the medicines, but not many people pay much attention to labels.
OTC Medication Impairment Is DUI
Many people know that DUI is a punishable crime in all states in America. Many do not know that DUI encompasses driving under the influence of any substance that causes impartment, including prescription medication. Proving alcohol impairment is easy because an officer may only need to subject a driver to a breathalyzer test.
However, proving impairment caused by prescription medication may be a little more complicated unless there are recognizable signs of impairment. Although an officer may not readily detect over-the-counter drug impairment is not a good reason to get on the road after taking medication. Doing so could endanger your life, the lives of your vehicle occupants, and other road users.
If an officer establishes that an over-the-counter medication has caused impairment in a driver, the offender could face DUI charges that can result in severe consequences.
It is Best To Avoid the Road
If you have a cold, avoiding being on the road is best. If you must run errands, have someone like a family member or close friend drive you around. Alternatively, you can use a cab-hailing service for the few days you will be unwell.
Suppose you get into an accident and notice that the driver responsible for causing the accident has signs of a cold. In that case, informing the police and your lawyer is best, as it can help establish liability.
Media Information:
Kinard, Garcia & Saldaña
150 W Parker Rd,Suite 705 B Houston
Texas 77076
(832) 402-6107