Cold comfort for UK drivers

Posted: February 19, 2013

Posted in: Car Accidents Road Traffic Accidents 

Driving with a cold could be a lot more dangerous than drivers realise, according to new research from Halfords Autocentres.

Studying accident data the garage network found that over 2,500 road accidents a week may be attributed to drivers suffering from heavy colds or flu.

Sneezing at the wheel can result in motorists driving blind for as much as half a second, long enough to travel 15 metres at typical road speeds, as they inadvertently close their eyes.

Halfords Autocentres advise drivers suffering from a virus to allow the equivalent of an extra four car lengths for braking to accommodate the increase in stopping distance – which at 60 mph rises from 73 to 88 metres.

The research also showed as many as 2.6 million drivers (9%) admitted to having taken their eyes off the road on one or more occasion when looking for a tissue, blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing.

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