UAE Motorists Use Coffee to Stay Alert on the Roads

A recent study that was commissioned by Continental and conducted by YouGov found that almost three times as many drivers drink coffee so that they can stay alert while driving than they would use energy drinks. Continental conducted the study as part of its Vision Zero safety initiative, as part of its effort to understand what kind of different caffeinated drinks drivers use to maintain their concentration. The company warned of the dangers of resorting to different kinds of drinks in order to increase alertness while driving.

1,002 respondents from the UAE participated in the survey in which they were asked about the drinks they habitually consumed as well as their perception of the impact they felt if they were unable to consume their preferred drink. Of the respondents, 27 percent said that they felt tired and unfocused if they were unable to consume their preferred drink while 24 percent acknowledged that it adversely affected their concentration.

16 per cent of the participants in the survey said they used energy drinks to help them focus, while 46 percent said coffee helped them to be sharper while driving. While everyone’s beverage of choice was tea, only 39 percent said they drank tea to stay alert or to get an extra ‘kick’. 13 percent of respondents said they used carbonated beverages to boost their alertness, while 17 percent and 24 percent preferred hot chocolate and Karak Chai respectively.

Road safety is still a major issue in the with figures from the Ministry of Interior and National Transport Authority indicating that 725 people died in traffic accidents 2016. The main factors contributing to such fatal traffic accidents are tiredness, poor concentration and inattentiveness. The survey Continental conducted makes us wonder about how a driver’s choice of beverage can contribute to their driving ability.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Dr Dana Al-Hamwi, a medical doctor who is based in the UAE and is a DHA-certified Clinical Dietician, as well as the Founder of Dr Dana Diet Centre (DDDC) in Dubai Healthcare City said that while studies have shown that cup of coffee or tea can be considered as a ‘quick-fix’ for tired drivers, they should not depend on them to maintain their focus while driving.

Dr Al-Hamwi who regularly appears as an expert commentator on MBC and Dubai TV said that caffeine does not stimulate the brain and excessive caffeine consumption can actually cause symptoms like slurred speech, rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, twitching of muscles and actually aggravate irritation. Beverages that are high in sugar content can have the adverse effect and actually cause fatigue.

Jose Luis de la Fuente, Managing Director of Continental Middle East, said while the human factor is one of the factors that can contribute to road accidents and this is why driver education is a key element of Continental’s Vision Zero initiative. He said the company undertook the study to better understand how the effect of consuming different drinks influences drivers in the UAE.

Continental’s global Vision Zero initiative aims to totally eradicate road accidents and achieve Zero fatalities, Zero injuries and Zero accidents on the roads. Continental commissioned the survey as part of its approach to delivering Vision Zero by enhancing drivers’ knowledge, attitude and awareness.

Continental Middle East collaborated with Dr Al-Hamwi to come up with a top ten list of health and nutrition that can make driving safer for motorists:

• Drink enough water to boost the electrical energy in the brain for all body functions
• Avoid snacks with high salt or sugar content
• Eat regular meals and consume fruit and vegetables
• Avoid fast food and sugary drinks
• Avoid medications that cause drowsiness
• Chew gum to help increase focus on the road and reduce tension
• Smaller healthy snacks are better than big meals
• Have healthy snacks including carrots, celery, grapes, cheese sticks and grilled chicken strips
• Follow your body clock and stop for a break on long trips
• Make sure to allow fresh air to circulate inside the car cabin