UK heatwave: Drivers urged to drink more water to avoid hefty fine

As heatwave rages across the British Isles, authorities are urging drivers to drink more water to ensure they are not dehydrated, which could lead to upto £1000 fine.

According to reports, Dehydration is leading to drivers witnessing dizziness and loss of focus behind the steering wheel in the United Kingdom (UK), which is resulting in hefty fines for motorists.

The meteorological office has warned of heatwaves across the majority of England and Wales, beginning on Sunday till the end of Tuesday. The experts are also predicting that the temperature will rise the most on Monday or Tuesday.

Also Read: UK Heatwave: How to beat the heat for better sleep

“Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life,” the meteorological office said.

Disruption of traffic, including road closure, delayed rail and cancelled air travel is on the cards for the people as the mercury is set to rise more than 35 degrees celsius. Forecasts suggest a 30% chance of the temperature crossing the current UK record of 38.7 degrees celsius (101.7F), which was recorded in Cambridge in 2019.

The National Health Service (NHS) has urged residents to drink between six to eight glasses of water every day, amounting to 1.2 to 1.5 litres.

Also Read: From heat exhaustion to travel disruption: Impact of heat wave in UK

“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?” Chief Operating Officer at Leasing Options, Mike Thomspon told The Express.

“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,” he added.

“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,” he concluded.