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NEWS
Study reveals hangover danger
Recent Dutch-based research has revealed that driving or riding with a hangover can potentially be as dangerous as taking to the road while drunkRecent European studies have shown that drivers -- and by extension, riders -- with a hangover can be potentially as dangerous behind the wheel as those with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05, even after the alcohol has cleared from their system.
In research conducted by Utrecht University in the Netherlands, drivers who took to the road with a hangover were far less alert and showed impaired levels of concentration.
In the study volunteers consumed 10 alcoholic drinks in an evening and were then monitored when they drove the following morning after registering a zero per cent blood alcohol reading.
Speaking with ABC Radio, Utrecht University’s Dr Joris Verster said sober but hungover drivers showed significant signs of impairment behind the wheel.
“What’s most often experienced is reduced concentration and alertness,” he said. “Those are the things that are especially important for driving.”
A similar study conducted by the University of the West of England showed similar results. Professor Chris Alford said the study revealed drivers were more prone to making mistakes.
“Things like their speed of reaction was slowed down; their variability in the way they drive was more erratic when they had a hangover,” he said.
“We also found that they’re making errors things like crossing the central lines, the lane markings in the road.
"You could say their driving was as if they were over the legal limit of alcohol but of course they didn’t have that alcohol on board anymore,” he added.
Dr Alford said the research highlighted a need for education, to inform drivers of the risks of driving with a hangover.
The findings were discussed at a conference recently hosted by the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs in Brisbane.
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Written byBikesales Staff
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