The Fesvial association warns that driving with the car at 35 degrees is comparable to having drunk three beers
The thermometers go off and, with it, a new risk arrives on the road. Heat waves, more and more frequent, increase the possibility of suffering a traffic accident by up to 25%, according to Professor Luis Montoro, head of the Spanish Foundation for Road Safety (Fesvial). The danger when there is a sudden change in temperatures and mercury rises may be similar to that of another factor that has been claiming lives on asphalt for years: alcohol. Montoro assures that “driving with a temperature in the car of 35 degrees is comparable to doing it after having drunk three beers.”
The Fesvial association warns of the danger posed by heat and its impact on road safety. High temperatures, he maintains, “increase traffic accidents and their severity.” Its president relates this factor to the general increase that has occurred, for some time now, in road deaths. In the Region, so far this year -between January 1 and June 29-, mortality on highways has grown by up to 25% -from eight to ten fatalities- according to data recently provided by the Provincial Headquarters of Traffic. The increase, when compared to the data for 2019, before the outbreak of Covid, is even greater: 43% – in that period there were seven deaths.
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stop more
It is advisable to stop more frequently (maximum every hour and a half). -
Watch out for the locker room
Wear light, light and loose clothing. Never drive without a shirt. -
Do not drive after meals
It is preferable not to eat hot, high-calorie or fatty foods. -
wear sunglasses
The lenses drastically reduce eye fatigue. -
Drink enough water
Fatigue is caused by cellular dehydration.
Luis Montoro emphasizes that it has been proven that a driver subjected to high temperatures – between 35 and 40 degrees – stops perceiving between 15% and 25% of the signals. Human errors also increase between 25% and 35%. “Reaction time deteriorates significantly and psychophysical abilities are greatly affected,” highlights the road safety expert.
warning signs
The Fesvial organization warns that, with excessive heat, you are also more likely to suffer episodes of sleep and eye strain. “Muscular problems appear and a dangerous increase in the driver’s reaction time,” he insists.
Montoro emphasizes that a closed car in the sun during one of these heat waves can easily exceed 60 or 70 degrees. The driver normally does not wait and, although he quickly activates the air, there is a time interval –about 15 minutes– in which the heat wave is still very powerful. It also warns of the added risk of cars without air conditioning or with damaged air conditioning equipment.
“The high temperatures and the exit of the Covid are creating a perfect storm for the increase in claims”
Excessive sweating, paleness or changes in skin color and alterations in pulse and body temperature are just some of the symptoms that can warn that something is wrong. To them are added, they explain from the organization, other warning signs, such as dizziness, nausea, a feeling of weakness, breathing problems, confusion or disorientation, among others.
The president of Fesvial also warns that, with the episodes of high temperatures combined with the lifting of the restrictions derived from the Covid, “a perfect storm” is taking place for the rebound in traffic accidents. “You want to make more of the time lost in the pandemic and that leads to an increase in speed,” he explains. «There are massive outings on weekends, for the holidays…». Montoro also maintains that the narrowness that many pockets go through is being noticed on the road. “There is less money and cars are checked and repaired less,” he laments. “Societies drive as they live and, if there is a crisis, it gets into the car.”
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