The UK Telegraph reported this week that recent studies performed by Cardiff University and the Young Marmalade insurance company showed that driving with a cold or flu can be just as hazardous as drinking alcohol and driving.

A small scale trial was performed which showed that drivers that had a cold or the flu had much slower reaction times and breaking became much more frequent. It needs to be pointed out that neither Young Marmalade or Cardiff University provided any statistics or numbers that resulted from their study. Also, apparently the slower reaction times were not a result of cold medicine but rather a lack of sleep, which made sick drivers less aware. 

The findings back up work done by Cardiff University Common Cold Unit which showed that those with colds and flu suffered from poor reaction times and alertness and were a third more likely to hit the roadside curb.

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.

This is an interesting study that I think has some merit, but I think I would like to see more concrete statistics and a more widespread study that tests a larger control group.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.