With a mini-heatwave predicted which could see temperatures match the hottest day of the year so far, drivers are being urged to recognise the dangers of driving while dehydrated during the upcoming weekend and summer months, as Brits are faced with a scorching heat wave and increasing temperatures on the roads.
Research conducted by leading vehicle leasing company, Leasing Options, revealed that more than two in three (67%) UK drivers fail to recognise major symptoms of dehydration, including slower reaction times, loss of focus and muscle cramps, potentially putting themselves and others at risk behind the wheel.
With driver errors accounting for 68% of all vehicle crashes in the UK¹, drivers are being urged to take care and ensure they are adequately hydrated before every journey.
Health authorities recommend drinking around two litres of water a day³, but Leasing Options found that 37% of those surveyed are only drinking one litre of water a day, with 18% drinking less than one litre a day.
The results of the Leasing Options survey also suggested that men are more aware of the risks involved than women, with 62% of male drivers admitting to being aware in comparison to 55% of female drivers.
Overall, 84% of drivers think drink driving is more dangerous than dehydrated driving, despite a study conducted by Loughborough University⁴ revealing that mild dehydration is equivalent to being over the drink driving limit with regard to its impact on driver errors.
Iain Temperton, Director of Communications at Road Safety GB, said: “Before you start a journey you should make sure your vehicle is prepared but, just as importantly, you should ensure that you are ready and fit to drive. Driving on our ever more congested network is a task that requires full concentration. Making sure you are fully hydrated is a vital part of that process; the safety of vulnerable road users around you depends upon it.”
Mike Thompson, Sales & Marketing Director at Leasing Options, said: “At Leasing Options we pride ourselves on our safety measures and we think British drivers need to be more aware of the risks and symptoms of dehydrated driving during the hot Bank Holiday and summer weather to make our roads a safer place.
“The hot weather can sometimes take us by surprise in Britain. Drivers may not think drinking an extra glass of water before leaving the house can affect their driving abilities, but it could decrease chances of an accident.”