Family Encyclopedia >> Health

Driving a car when you have a cold

Driving a car when you have a cold

We know that getting drunk behind the wheel is a very bad idea and that certain drugs affect your ability to concentrate. But what about driving when you have a cold?

Driving under the influence
Research shows that driving with a cold or flu is just as dangerous as driving with four double whiskeys. In both situations, your driving skills decrease by 50 percent.

The effects of the common cold
A cold makes you less concentrated. This makes your responsiveness worse, you brake more often and you are less aware of the traffic around you.

Did you know… When you're sniffling behind the wheel, you have more than 30 percent more chance of hitting a curb, because judging distances is a lot more difficult.

The influence of drugs
A cold affects your driving skills considerably, but certain cold medicines also have a negative effect. For example, pills with codeine in them can make you sleepy. Therefore, always consult the package leaflet of any medicines you are taking.

Do you go by car when you have a cold?

Source:Telegraaf | Image:Shutterstock