Many truck and car drivers, especially those who travel long distances, resort to drinking coffee and energy drinks to maintain alertness and focus while driving, but research and experts have revealed that exceeding the recommended daily limit of caffeine may lead to adverse results.
The Telegraph newspaper reported that a previous study revealed that drivers who drink large amounts of coffee and energy drinks are more vulnerable to accidents, compared to those who drink a small amount.
Other studies indicate that taking doses of caffeine may reduce traffic accidents, but road safety experts have warned that excessive coffee consumption can cause accidents.
An opinion poll revealed that about 11 million drivers in Britain exceed the recommended daily limit of caffeine.
Tim Mercer, a doctor at the British Health Service, said: “Drinking coffee and tea is normal, but drivers who rely on cafes may face problems, as these drinks are often filled with multiple shots of espresso. One cup of one brand can push you to exceed the maximum permissible limit.”
Poor decision making
James Gibson, executive director of Road Safety GB, an organization specializing in road safety, explained that symptoms such as anxiety, dizziness and headaches impair the ability to make decisions and focus.
He added, “Drivers make decisions every second, such as determining whether it is safe to leave an intersection, or change lanes, and poor decision-making can have serious consequences for drivers, their companions, and other road users.”
Trembling
When the permissible limit is exceeded, caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system, causing the hands or legs to tremble, making it difficult to perform fine movements such as steering, changing speed, or maintaining stable pressure on the pedal, and these tremors can turn into dangerous convulsions.
Slow reaction
Regular doses of caffeine improve alertness and concentration, but excessive doses cause excessive nervousness, anxiety, and delayed reaction times; Due to nervous hyperactivity.
It can also cause poor judgment of distance or speed.
Visual disturbances
High levels of caffeine may cause eye muscle twitching and difficulty concentrating, especially when tired or dehydrated, which increases the risk of vision disturbances, frequent blinking, or blurred vision.
Headache
Excessive caffeine drinking results in constriction of blood vessels in the brain, causing headaches.
Safe driving
James Gibson explained that drivers should determine the amount of caffeine they consume, and consider whether they exceed the safe daily limit of about 400 mg, advising them to regulate coffee consumption, and take breaks to reduce fatigue.
