A cold ‘hits drivers like four double whiskies’, insurers warn

January 5th, 2012

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

BY Nichola Jones

Last updated at 8:13 AM on 5th January 2012

Distraction: Sneezing makes drivers lose concentration and make more mistakes, according to a report (posed by a model)

Heavy colds and flu seriously affect motorists’ driving, putting them and other road users at risk, a report shows.

Car safety experts found a decrease in driving ability of over 50 per cent when cold-sufferers were subjected to tests.

This
is the equivalent of downing more than four double whiskies – a level
of driving ability that an insurance company would expect to lead to an
accident.

Reaction
times dropped sharply and sudden braking became much more frequent, as
the motorist was less aware of surrounding traffic, while cornering
also became erratic.

Insurance
firm Young Marmalade carried out the research in association with
Halfords using a ‘telematics’ box to record drivers’ speed, braking and
cornering.

The insurance industry suspects under-the-weather motorists are to blame for thousands of accidents.

Halfords’
winter driving expert Mark Dolphin said: ‘You shouldn’t drive if you
are not feeling well. If you really must go out, get someone else to
take you.’

The study
was carried out by Cardiff University’s Common Cold Unit which showed
those bunged-up behind the wheel were more than 33 per cent more likely
to hit a kerb while driving and their driving ability was only half as
good.

PC Steve Rounds, of the UK’s Central Motorway Police Group said even the act of sneezing can a pose a high risk to road users.

Erratic: Police said motorists driving with heavy colds could face prosecution (posed by model)

‘Sneezing
can be very violent, especially with a severe cold and causes the
sufferer to close their eyes temporarily,’ he said. The police have also
warned that drivers getting behind the wheel while suffering from a
heavy cold could face prosecution.

‘This
small-scale trial provides a warning for motorists,’ said Nigel Lacy,
co-founder of Young Marmalade. ‘A heavy cold can impair a driver’s mood,
concentration and judgement.’

Halfords
Winter Driving Expert Mark Dolphin said: ‘We want our customers to stay
safe. You shouldn’t drive if you are not feeling well. The best place
to be when you have flu or a heavy cold is at home, but if you really
must go out, get someone else to take you and avoid driving.

‘Other
drivers should be aware of those around them and if they see someone
sneezing be prepared for the unexpected to happen and increase the
distance between vehicles.’

Added to this Police warn that drivers getting behind the wheel while suffering from a heavy cold could be prosecuted.

PC
Steve Rounds, of the Central Motorway Police Group said: ‘Sneezing can
be very violent, especially with a severe cold and causes the sufferer
to close their eyes temporarily.’

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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If you have a bad cold then you are not well enough to drive. So if you have to go to work why not catch a bus or train simples..

– maggi, cardiff south wales uk, 05/1/2012 12:10

What about the government and the police that allow bi-lingual road signs like in North Wales where some in English first, some in Welsh first, not consistent and not using different signs or colours. Research from Leeds University sponsored by the Welsh Government proved these are dangerous but they come under the Welsh Language Act which is more important than lives. Anyway who really cares unless it’s another way to raise money then we could do the same with people driving in snow or wet conditions without a good reason.

– Barry Phillips, Bangor, 05/1/2012 11:59

Sitting here, already having gone through a box of tissues within the hour, eyes, head and throat feeling as if someone has duffed me up, pains in arms, legs and feet, has made me cancel today’s weekly shopping expedition, even though the sun has come out and for once it is bright and shining. Consequently I can see where the police are coming from. I can stay indoors now, since I am retired, but in earlier days it was more than my job was worth to take time off for a cold. Flu yes. Cold no. And no, I haven’t caught the flu as I had a flu jab. In fact I am wondering how on earth I have come to catch this cold virus as I haven’t been out of the house for over 3 weeks, unless my internet grocery shopping during that time brought the virus into my house (via the back door, so to speak). Anyway I feel so unwell I’m not going anywhere. I’m even too unwell to be bored let alone drive!
– A Bystander, )n the sidelines, Uk, 05/1/2012 11..Hope you’re feeling better soon. I’ve just had one

– GT, E. Yorkshire, 05/1/2012 11:57

you can’t tell people not to drive with a cold, and then complain about too many sick days being taken. If you have a cold and no sick pay, which most of us don’t, you go to work, regardless. And that means driving.

– yumstheword, wales, 05/1/2012 11:45

– A Bystander, )n the sidelines, Uk, 05/1/2012 11:09

Shouldn’t drive with a cold? Oh, really? Someone better tell my boss that, then – a cold isn’t a good enough excuse for not coming to work!

– Dot, Northamptonshire, 05/1/2012 10:35

I would love to see some figures for accidents relating to : a) drink-driving, b) drug-driving, c) illness related driving, d) distracted by children / something on the roadside, e) falling asleep at the wheel. My guess is that (c) and (d) would be tiny in comparison to the other three! You cannot ever make this world a completely safe place!

– Dot, near Milton Keynes, 05/1/2012 10:34

No doubt the police will soon be issued with Colderysers! If your cold is over the limit you will be for the high jump! Where will this stupidity end? Soon the police will have so many devices to check motorists with that they will not have any time at all left to solve real crime!

– drrdf, Herts, UK, 05/1/2012 10:20

Oh FGS – you don’t have to have a cold to sneeze. I was driving once when I sneezed 5 times for no reason – I didn’t have a cold or hay fever – must have been a bit of dust.
How on earth could they prosecute people for having a cold – this country has gone barmy. I’m sure it’s just so insurance companies can make more money!

– me, suffolk, 05/1/2012 10:04

So, will driving with a cold now become a specific offence?
– Adrian , Reading, UK., 05/1/2012 09:24
Daft comment! Of course it could lead to a prosecution! I know someone who caused a serious accident by driving with a severe cold who was sneezing badly and could hardly see through tear filled eyes! Prosecution followed!

– Geoff le Breton, Bordeaux. France, 05/1/2012 09:52

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