Dehydration doubles the risk of making a driving error
We all know the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or while sleep-deprived. However, it turns out that there is another condition that can impair your driving ability significantly enough to cause an auto accident: dehydration.
Research Reveals Dangers of Dehydrated Driving
According to a study conducted at Loughborough University in England and published in the Journal of Physiology and Behavior, dehydration can make drivers more prone to error. For the study, the researchers asked 12 men to take a two-hour highway drive using a simulator. On the first day, the men drank 200 ml of water every hour to ensure healthy hydration. On the second day, the men drank just 25 ml of water every hour, leaving them with the level of dehydration similar to what a busy individual might experience at the end of the day or a driver might experience on a long car trip.
On the first day, the men navigated the two-hour-long simulation with just 47 errors between them. On the second day, when they were dehydrated, they made more than twice as many errors. The researchers noted that this increase in errors is the same as what would be expected if they had been testing sober and drunk drivers or rested and sleep-deprived drivers.
How Dehydration Affects Your Body
The human body is about 65 percent water, and all kinds of physiological processes require water to run smoothly. This includes blood circulation, metabolism, body temperature regulation, detoxification, and brain activity. When a person is dehydrated, all these processes suffer. However, reduced brain activity is the main reason that dehydration leads to driving errors. Dehydrated drivers have trouble thinking clearly, staying alert, and using short term memory, all of which can increase the risk of an accident.
Have You Been Injured in an Auto Accident?
If you have been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, you deserve compensation. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we are here to not only help you get compensation, but help you maximize that compensation. As the #1 auto accident firm in southern California, we have a long history of success in claims involving accidents caused by negligent drivers. To learn more about our services and request a free initial consultation, please call us at 800-333-0000.
