Do not drive when ill with a cold or influenza because this could lead to dire consequences, warn the insurance people at Lloyds TSB.
According to the article “350 million pounds bill for driving under the influenza” in excess of one hundred and twenty five thousand motorists were involved in accidents that were caused by the effects of flu.
When incidences of flu are at their peak as they were just before Christmas, the occurrence of road traffic accidents can be rife. Many accidents are caused by slower reactions and by sneezing at the wheel. A recent study revealed that a driver’s road awareness can be impaired by as much as eleven per cent when under the influence of a cold virus. This kind of reduced attention compares with the effects of drinking a double whisky before setting off for the road.
In the event of suffering with a cold you could put yourself and others at risk if driving under the influence of flu symptoms. All motorists should therefore bear in mind the increase of driving accidents and to ensure all the more urgently they have car insurance not only to cover accidents they are responsible for, but those caused by others too.
Flu symptoms are not the only cause of impaired judgement affecting a driver’s motoring skills, tests proved driving with PMS, high stress levels or a headache will negatively affect your driving ability. Flu symptoms however did come off the worst in the research.
The report has helped to conclude that during 2008 one in ten of all road accidents can be attributed to the driver’s flu symptoms. This is a trend that produced an insurance bill totalling a cool three hundred and fifty million pounds!
The painful truth is that people are not aware of the damaging effects of the flu virus on a driver. With the occurrence of flu pandemics becoming a growing concern, it is all the more vital that motorists are made aware of this destructive and growing problem. The question of shall I or shan’t I drive is answered plainly on single rule of thumb that it is not safe to go out if in doubt.