Drivers could be fined £1,000 for not drinking enough WATER

DRIVERS could land themselves a £1,000 fine for not drinking enough water.

The extraordinary rule means it is essential for motorists to quench their thirsts after embarking on lengthy journeys.

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Dehydrated drivers are considered to be as dangerous on the road as someone over the alcohol limit.

According to research by Loughborough University, even mild cases struggle to calculate errors while behind the wheel.

Not drinking enough water can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, tiredness, cramps and loss of focus.

This could see you slapped with a £1,000 fine if police believe you do not have proper control of the vehicle due to dehydration.

Although it may mean stopping off for more toilet trips, it is an important factor to help ensure a safe journey.

Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Leasing Options, explained: “We’re used to checking the water and oil levels of our car before we set off but how many people check their own water levels?

“When starting your car before a long-distance journey, you may not think drinking an extra glass of water before leaving the house would affect your driving abilities, but you would be wrong.

“Drinking more water will not only have a positive effect on the body but will also prevent the chance of dizziness or loss of focus because of it.”

A previous survey by the company found a whopping 84 per cent of motorists felt drink-driving was far more dangerous than not having enough water.

And around three in five Brits had no idea of the risks at all.

With just under 70 per cent of accidents on UK roads being attributed to driver error, dehydration could be a major factor in motorists losing focus and being involved in a collision.

Brits are advised to glug down some H20 before setting off and to take a water bottle with them on the trip.

This is especially important during the summer months.

But drinking water or eating while driving can also be distracting and land you in trouble with police for not being in proper control of your vehicle.

Drivers should take regular breaks on long journeys – which also presents a great opportunity to refill your water supply.

Avoiding excessive use of the air conditioning system will also help you stave off dehydration, as it drys out the environment.