As weather continues to heat up across the UK, drivers are being warned to stay hydrated behind the wheel or risk getting a £1,000 fine.
Automotive experts Leasing Options are urging drivers to keep their water intake topped up ahead of any long-distance journeys in hot weather.
Being dehydrated while driving is not illegal in the UK, but rule 149 of the highway code states divers must exercise proper control of their vehicle at all times.
Failure to so can result in three penalty points and a £1,000 fine.
Dehydration can lead to dizziness and loss of focus, which can weaken a driver's control over their vehicle.
Research by Loughborough University shows 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 explained: “ 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.”
With that in mind, below are the signs of dehydration to look out for and some tips to consider when taking a road trip.
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:
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Tiredness
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Dizziness and/or light-headedness
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Muscle cramps
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Loss of focus/concentration
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Headaches
Four tips to avoid dehydration while driving
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, as this can have a drying effect on the atmosphere.
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.
Causes of dehydration
Some people are more susceptible to dehydration than others.
If one or multiple of these relates to your current state, it’s vital to maintain or elevate your hydration levels when driving:
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Suffer from diabetes
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A recent bout of vomiting and/or diarrhoea
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Too much exposure to the sun (heatstroke)
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Have alcohol in your system
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High level of sweating post-exercise
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Have a high temperature (38C or more)
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Are on medication
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Suffering from back pain
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