Driving Dehydrated is Just as Dangerous as Driving Impaired

There are multiple penalties associated with impaired driving in Maryland: driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI), and driving while impaired by drugs. If you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, an individual may face DUI charges. Driving while impaired is a risk to everyone on the road.

DUI and DWI charges are widely understood. However, the Maryland car accident attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. are willing to bet you never considered dehydrated driving as a potential accident hazard. A study conducted in 2015 in the United Kingdom found that even slight dehydration can lead to mistakes in judgment by drivers.

About the dehydration and driving study

Eleven adults took part in the study, which involved an immobile driving simulator. The simulator created real-world scenarios for the participants to experience when operating the immobile simulator across three different sessions.

For the first session, the participants consumed 85 ounces of fluid the day prior and only 16 ounces of fluid the morning of the simulation. When taking part in a simulation while dehydrated, the participants only consumed 20% of the total fluids intake from the previous sessions. The first session (“trip”) was to familiarize the participants with the simulator. The second trip took place while the participants were hydrated, and the third trip had them dehydrated.

During each session, cameras recorded the behaviors of the participants and sensors monitored their brain activity. The researchers working on the study excluded any behavior that could have been due to exhaustion.

What were the results of the study?

The study found that minor mistakes, like late braking and lane drifting, occurred in drivers who were slightly dehydrated. These minor mistakes are similar to those made by impaired drivers. The same minor mistakes became more frequent as the simulations went on.

Lead study author Phil Watson, Ph.D., said:

The actual level of dehydration we produced in these men was very mild. We wanted to simulate real-world conditions, such as when you've had a particularly busy day and were unable to take breaks for drinks. Just like alcohol, mild dehydration has been shown to reduce concentration, slow reaction times, impair memory recall, and produce negative effects on mood. All of these factors can impact our ability to safely drive a motor vehicle.

The researchers had to disqualify one of the 11 participants because he routinely fell asleep during the simulations.

Distracted driving increases when we’re dehydrated

A person’s mood can change when he or she is dehydrated, and we all know how difficult it can be to focus on the task at hand when feeling emotional. That’s why it is encouraged to never drive when in a bad mood or any type of mood that can alter your focus.

Just 1.5% of water deprivation can lead to nervousness, anxiety, confusion, and irritability, according to Medical News Today. All of these issues do not mix well for drivers. Road rage is an issue that is more likely to occur in a driver who is already upset, rather than someone who is already feeling peaceful and calm.

Were you injured in a crash with a negligent driver? The personal injury attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. are here to investigate the crash and build a case that can help you recover compensation for your injuries. Call our office at 410-730-7737, or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation. We have offices throughout Maryland for your convenience.