Driving When Suffering from Cold Equal to Drunk Driving

The dangers of drunk driving are well known and now a new study reveals that driving when suffering from a cold is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Researchers at Cardiff University found that suffering from cold slowed down the reaction time of the drivers who tend to take longer when stopping a car and also drive too close to the vehicle in front of them, making them less aware of a possible collision.

Those who sneezed also took their eyes off the road for at least three seconds.

“Having a cold is equivalent to drinking three or four pints and being over the limit. People with a cold had slower reaction times than those associated with drinking. Colds slowed reaction times by 36 milliseconds. Yet consuming the amount of alcohol that would lead to a driving ban slows reactions by just 15 milliseconds”, lead researcher Professor Andy Smith said.

Source-Medindia