Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Life rarely pauses when we're feeling under the weather. Despite the need to slow down and rest, responsibilities and routines still call. Commuting is often unavoidable. In this rush to keep going, it’s easy to underestimate the effect illness can have on driving skills and decision-making behind the wheel. During this winter cold and flu season, it’s crucial to understand the risks of driving while sick and how to manage symptoms safely.

An estimated 1 million people in the U.S drive with a cold on any given day.

While most sickness symptoms are manageable at home, they pose new threats when you’re on the road.

Dangerous Distractions

Anything that takes your focus off driving is a distraction. When you’re feeling unwell, your cold can become one too. Minor symptoms like a runny nose or sneezing can lead to manual distractions. Think about reaching for tissues when you need to cough or sneeze. With your hand off the wheel, you’re less prepared to respond to hazards.

Symptoms can also lead to visual distractions. Most people close their eyes when they sneeze. At high speeds, a single sneeze could have you traveling a significant distance during the brief time your eyes are shut. During that moment, you are essentially driving blind.

If you’re going 60 mph, sneezing would cause you to drive about 50 feet with your eyes closed.

Taking your eyes off the road or a hand off the wheel for even a second is dangerous. This raises your risk of being involved in a collision. When you’re sick, avoiding these distractions can be challenging, making driving while ill particularly hazardous.

Physical Impairment

A heavy cold often comes with headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. These symptoms can leave your mind feeling foggy. Concentrating on the complex task of driving becomes extremely challenging. Drivers who are sick are more likely to miss important details related to changing road conditions or signals from pedestrians and other motorists.

A person’s driving skills can decline by as much as 50% when they’re sick.

Other common sickness symptoms, like muscle weakness and drowsiness, can result in impaired coordination and significantly reduced reaction times. Delays in braking, failure to quickly swerve away from hazards, or slow responses to environmental conditions increase the likelihood of a collision.

Slower and disengaged behavior due to illness is similar to other forms of impaired driving, like drunk driving and drowsy driving. When you’re fighting off a heavy cold, your physical and mental abilities can be compromised. This reduces your ability to operate your vehicle safely, putting not just you but everyone on the road at risk.

If you're treating your cold symptoms with over-the-counter remedies, be cautious. The side effects, which can include drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision, make driving even more dangerous. Some common liquid cold medications can contain alcohol, and many warn against driving after ingestion.

“A dose of a commonly available cold remedy can take you nearly halfway to the drink-drive limit.

Staying Safe on the Road

The best option when you’re sick is to stay home and rest. A good night’s sleep is essential for recovery and our everyday ability to drive safely. Hundreds of road accidents each year are caused by drowsy driving behaviors like difficulty staying in a lane, inconsistent speeds, and abrupt steering and braking.

However, sometimes staying home isn’t an option. You may start feeling ill only after your drive has begun. If you experience symptoms of fatigue or weakness while driving, pull over to a safe area. Take a short nap or get out of your vehicle and stretch. Excessive warmth or dehydration can worsen the effects of illness. Having fluids on standby and ensuring good airflow in your vehicle—like winding down the windows or turning up your AC—can provide temporary relief and help keep you alert.

Safe driving starts with being well enough to do it. Sometimes pushing through can mean putting lives at risk. So next time you have a case of the common cold, think twice before getting behind the wheel.

Conclusion

Driving while sick is a serious concern. The risks associated with illness can significantly impair your ability to drive safely. It’s essential to recognize when you’re not fit to drive and to prioritize your health and the safety of others. Remember, your well-being is paramount. If you're feeling unwell, consider alternatives to driving. Your safety and the safety of others on the road depend on it.

Sources:

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/road-safety-content/articles/can-you-drive-when-you-re-sick/

https://www.nhtsa.gov/drug-impaired-driving/dangers-driving-after-taking-prescription-drugs-or-over-counter-medicines

https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/01/05/is-driving-with-a-cold-the-same-as-driving-drunk/

https://www.scrapcarcomparison.co.uk/blog/driving-while-sick/

https://www.eckellsparks.com/2023/10/20/driving-while-sick/