Fat drivers in danger - RAC Foundation report

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Wednesday, 14 February 2007

Every extra hour spent behind the wheel of the car increases the risk of obesity by six per cent. That's according to the UK RAC Foundation. RAC also claims that overweight motorists are more than twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured in road accidents, than lighter people.

At the time of year when 70 per cent of women have resolved to detox, gym memberships are up ten per cent, and internet searches on 'diet' are up 61 per cent, the RAC Foundation argues that drivers should resolve to lose weight, get healthier and do some good for the environment.

After reviewing international research, the RAC Foundation feels that there could be several factors influencing the severity of accidents amongst obese drivers.

Overweight people are more prone to sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea, and therefore are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel.

Seat belts and air bags are generally designed for average sized people.

Crash test dummies tend to be based on the 50th percentile male.

Emergency services find it more difficult to remove larger occupants from crashed vehicles.

Increased mortality is probably also due to co-morbid factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or higher likelihood of heart attacks.

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