Substances high in caffeine , such as coffee, tea or energy drinks, prevent traffic accidents by preventing professional drivers who travel long distances behind the wheel from falling asleep while driving, according to an Australian study published in the British Medical Journal .
The research evaluated the effects of drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages in 530 truckers who had had accidents and 517 who had not. And it found that drivers who used caffeine to stay sharp behind the wheel were 63 percent less likely to be in an accident than those who did not drink at all. In addition, the study revealed that if the driver had had a collision on the road in the last five years, the risk of suffering another traffic accident increased up to 81 percent. The result was obtained after adjusting for other factors such as age, sleep patterns, kilometers traveled, breaks taken and night driving times.
Until now, several studies have suggested that caffeine promotes alertness and increases attention, but it is the first time that its consumption has been shown to reduce accidents. Of course, Lisa Sharwood and her colleagues at the University of Sydney warn "that coffee does not meet the need for sleep " of drivers. And that it is important to combine caffeine consumption with periodic stops to rest from driving, take a nap and have appropriate work schedules.
