Drivers go ape from the heat, study says

Researchers believe that the number of traffic accidents goes up dramatically once the thermometer says it is already 27 degrees Celsius

Heat wave causes a lot of inconvenience to city dwellers. It does not matter if you travel by metro or drive a car. Summertime metro is not a pretty sight. The air is stuffy, passengers are jittery and at times are packed like sardines. Life seems a little bit easier if you drive a car with an air-conditioning system. You will be O.K. even if you are stuck for hours in a huge traffic jam. In the meantime, you can become a public security risk if you drive a car without an a/c unit and the temperature outside keeps rising, according to a recent study by German doctors.

Researchers believe that the number of traffic accidents goes up dramatically once the thermometer says it is already 27 degrees Celsius outside and the temperature keeps rising. Specialists believe the increase in road accidents is linked to harmful effects of the heat. A driver in a red-hot vehicle usually loses his concentration and the ability to keep his eyes on the road. On the other hand, people on a sweltering hot day will normally have an increase in the heart rate above normal. Consequently, they will flip out and lose their grip on reality for a while.

Anything can be done to avoid trouble on the road? Installing an air-conditioning unit seems to be the only way to keep your mind from overheating. However, some people believe the air-conditioning system is evil that spreads bronchitis. Such people would rather roll down the windows in the car on a very hot day. They would never put their health at risk by blowing cool electric air around their weary heads because it could be dangerous or so they say. Opponents of air-conditioners along with other types of drivers who can not use air-conditioners due to a number of reasons are strongly recommended to park their vehicles in the shade, make frequent stops, and drink lots of water.

Should you have to park your car in the sun and leave it this way for a long time, you had better use special sun window blinds. The sun blinds will enable to reduce the temperature inside your car by 3 or 5 degrees Celsius. And please do not forget to pick up your pet at the back seat when the ride is over. Please remember that your cat or dog may die from a lack of oxygen or a heart attack after spending just five minutes inside the hot and airless car.