As many enjoy Easter, motorists will be planning to visit family for the bank holiday weekend.
But drivers are being warned that they could be facing a hefty fine if they fail to look after themselves properly.
While it's important to make sure your car is fit to drive, the driver must also be in a good state to drive.
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Automotive experts at Leasing Options are warning drivers to keep their water intake topped up ahead of any long-distance journeys this weekend or risk a £1,000 fine for failure to have proper control of a vehicle due to dehydration symptoms such as dizziness and loss of focus.
After all, research by Loughborough University has revealed that even a mild form of dehydration is the equivalent of being over the limit when calculating errors in driving.
Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Leasing Options, explains “We’re used to checking the water and oil levels of our car before we set off but how many people check their own water levels?
"When starting your car before a long-distance journey, you may not think drinking an extra glass of water before leaving the house would affect your driving abilities, but you would be wrong.
"Drinking more water will not only have a positive effect on the body but will also prevent the chance of dizziness or loss of focus because of it.”
Four Tips to avoid dehydration while driving
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re taking a road trip or need to travel long distances.
1. Drink water before your journey
In the UK it is recommended to drink six to eight glasses of fluid per day. However, if you are going to be spending a lot of time driving, it’s unlikely that you will get a chance to do this. This is why we recommend having a glass of water before setting off on your journey to ensure you're hydrated before the trip.
2. Keep a water bottle handy
Once you set off on your journey it can be more difficult to keep your water intake topped up as you drive. However, you should make sure you have a water bottle handy so that you can take a drink when able to.
3. Take regular breaks
On long car journeys, the driver should always take a break to rest before restarting the journey again. This is also a good time to drink water and re-fill any empty bottles for the rest of the journey.
4. Avoid excessive air-conditioning usage
A side effect of overusing air conditioning in your car is that it can have a drying effect on the atmosphere which, if the humidity drops low enough, could cause mild dehydration.
Signs of dehydration to watch out for whilst driving:
If you are dehydrated, you will likely experience one of these symptoms below and they could have a big impact on your driving ability.
Any of which could lead to a £1,000 fine for failure to have proper control of the vehicle.
Tiredness
Dizziness and/or light-headedness
Muscle cramps
Loss of focus/concentration
Headaches
Causes, and those with increased susceptibility, of dehydration:
Did you know that some people are more susceptible to dehydration than others? It’s true. Check this list below, and if one or multiple of these relates to your current state, it’s vital to maintain or elevate your hydration levels when driving.
Suffer from diabetes
A recent bout of vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Too much exposure to the sun (heatstroke)
Have alcohol in your system
High level of sweating post-exercise
Have a high temperature (38C or more)
Are on medication
Suffering from back pain
