Two in three drivers in the UK 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, shows research.
Leading vehicle leasing company Leasing Options surveyed over 1,000 UK drivers to test their knowledge of dehydrated driving and 67% got it wrong.
With driver errors accountable for 68% of all vehicle crashes in the UK, motorists are being urged to ensure they are adequately hydrated before every journey. Air conditioning can increase dehydration.
Over half of drivers (58%) surveyed claimed to be aware of the risks of dehydrated driving, but seem to be doing little to prevent it.
Health authorities recommend drinking around two litres of water a day, 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.