Driving a car with a cold: Why not only the risk of accidents increases
Created: 12/22/2022, 2:48 p.m
By: Christian Einfeldt
Anyone who drives a car with a cold in winter not only increases the risk of accidents.
There are expensive risks – in the worst case, the withdrawal of a driver's license.
Hamburg – Employers receive one sick note after the next: Shortly before Christmas, the sick leave is particularly high and is already causing emergency rooms in Hamburg to be overburdened.
Corona, RS virus or flu are all around, which manifest themselves in different ways.
But no matter what symptoms you suffer from – you should rather leave the car at home for necessary errands.
Struck and unfocused behind the wheel: The risk of accidents increases.
Kreiszeitung.de summarizes.
To protect others, your own safety - but also to relieve your wallet: If you are ill, you should not drive a car.
Because otherwise it could be particularly expensive.
In the worst case, you could even have your driver's license revoked.
federal law: | Road Traffic Act |
|---|---|
Shortcut: | StVG |
Effective date: | June 1, 1909 |
Scope: | Federal Republic of Germany |
Sick behind the wheel: "To be classified as grossly negligent," says the lawyer
It is said that anyone who is ill stays at home - but what if important appointments or errands are pending.
Just buy medicine in the pharmacy, fresh groceries in the supermarket to get through the day.
It is best to ask a person close to you who will take on these tasks for you.
The worst-case scenario: no one is on call and you get in the car yourself.
If your joints don't want to or your head is pounding: Concentration and willingness to perform quickly decrease.
Paragraph two of the Road Traffic Act states that a person is considered fit to drive if they are “suitable for driving motor vehicles”,
“
meet the necessary physical and mental requirements and do not significantly or repeatedly violate traffic penalties”
.
High risk: According to lawyer Michael Schulte, driving a car while ill is “to be classified as grossly negligent, possibly even as intentional”.
(Iconic image) © Wolfgang Maria Weber/Imago and Westend61/Imago
Accidents can then occur far more often when you have a cold than when you are fit and clear-headed.
Then even the most harmless cold can mutate into a cost factor - and future driving ability can also be put to the test.
Attorney Michael Schulte speaks to the specialist magazine
Auto Motor und Sport
of behavior that “is to be classified as grossly negligent, possibly even intentional” – especially if you are defying the instructions of your doctor.
Driving a car when ill: The symptoms that increase the unfitness to drive
According to the applicable driver's license regulation, the driver should always be able to steer his vehicle safely.
A requirement that is sometimes not met when you are ill or have a cold.
If an accident occurs, the person who caused the accident is liable – in this case, the sick person who may have to pay for the damage that has occurred.
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With regard to the Driving License Ordinance and the Road Traffic Act, consumers are required to leave their car if their eyesight is impaired, they suffer from restricted mobility or a safe journey could be prevented by the following symptoms:
pronounced visual and/or hearing impairments
cardiac arrhythmias
epilepsy
nervous diseases
severe metabolic disorders (e.g. in diabetic patients)
severe mental disorders
Taking medication can be particularly problematic.
As the
ADAC
reports, the percentage of alcohol content in some products could sometimes be in the double digits.
Medications on the road are not prohibited.
However, according to Section 24a of the Road Traffic Act, they are legally relevant if they are intoxicating and affect driving ability.
In the worst case, they can even risk losing their driver's license.
If the police confirm that you are unfit to drive, the permit can be withdrawn quickly.
High accident risk in case of illness: Even the doctor can be punishable
Leave the car at home when you are ill: it is best for you, other road users – but also for the doctor treating you.
According to the expert opinion of the lawyer Schulte, there is also an increased risk for him.
Then when he forgets to "inform his patients about the possible effects of medication or physical or mental limitations on their ability to drive." According to Michael Schulte, the doctor is also liable in the event of an accident.
Incidentally, in the case of particularly serious illnesses, the doctor can also issue a driving ban.
According to Appendix 4 of the Driving License Ordinance, this is possible and could become effective for people suffering from epilepsy.
However, sick leave due to cold symptoms should not prohibit driving.
There is also an increased risk of accidents in winter as a result of black ice: it should be obvious why you shouldn't drive, especially during the cold season, when the alcohol in the cough syrup is having an effect.
