Car Accidents Caused by Dehydration?

Some car accidents are caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. Others are caused by texting and driving (or some other distraction). And then there are those caused by a person who has no regard for the law.

Now, there is something else to think about: dehydrated driving.

Believe it or not, dehydrated driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. For this reason, drivers should check to make sure they are hydrated before getting behind the wheel.

According to a study published by Physiology and Behavior, researchers determined that a lack of hydration could be as dangerous as driving drunk, when it comes to the number of mistakes a driver makes.

The study took place over the course of two days, thanks to a simulator and a few dedicated researchers.

On day one of the study, drivers were provided with one cup of water every hour. At the end of the day, 47 driver errors were reported. On day two, drivers were only provided with a sip of water every hour. As a result, driver errors reached 101.

What types of errors were recorded? These included late braking, crossing the lane line, and lane drifting. As you know, all of these on the road mistakes can cause an accident, thus leading to injury or even death.

Why is this a Problem?

The lead researcher noted that the brain does not function at its peak when a person is dehydrated. This can impact many skills needed for safe driving, such as reaction time and the ability to focus.

If the results of this study are true, dehydrated driving can be extremely dangerous. This leads to another problem: the lack of enforcement opportunities. In short, there is no way for police to know if a person is dehydrated. This leaves it up to every driver to make sure they feel good enough to navigate the road ahead.

Were you involved in a car accident? If the other party was at fault, contact us to learn more about your legal rights.

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Stephanie Thompson, Estate Planning Attorney of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC

As the owner of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, it is Stephanie’s mission to address each client’s goals for their estate plan. By identifying their wishes and concerns she can educate, guide, and counsel on the different tools and options that will effectively and efficiently accomplish those goals.

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