Driving can be thirsty work – but does that mean it’s okay to enjoy a cup of coffee while behind the wheel? Many people across the UK already do, but the legal position can be a bit confusing: is it safe and legal to drink coffee while driving? Here, we provide an insight into UK road safety laws and some of the latest expert opinion around the subject.
The first thing to note is that there is no specific UK law that makes it an offence to drink coffee while driving. That said, the Road Traffic Act 1998 does set out certain codes of conduct that drivers must adhere to and states that you must ‘not drive without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users’. Depending on the circumstances, drinking coffee while driving could be seen as breaking these laws and you could potentially find yourself with a hefty charge and fine on your hands, along with penalties that could affect your ability to drive.
How detrimental, then, is drinking coffee while driving? Public Health England Road Safety Lead Tim Hollinghurst puts this into perspective. ‘What we know is that all drivers should be aware of the risks of engaging in distractions and driving carelessly’, he states. ‘Even small distractions that take your eyes off the wheel for a few seconds, such as the time it takes to take a sip of coffee, can lead to accidents’. So if you’re feeling a bit peckish behind the wheel, consider whether you can wait until you’re no longer driving before satisfying that hunger.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has recorded numerous occurrences of ‘driver distraction’, which includes anything from drinking coffee to using a mobile phone. RoSPA figures show that in 2017, 22 people lost their lives and 99 were seriously injured in accidents where driver distraction was a factor. Although this is a small percentage compared to other causes of accidents, such as speeding and alcohol or drug use, it still counts for a substantial proportion of road traffic accidents.
Clearly, it pays to stay focussed while on the road, which includes avoiding food and drinks. However, is there an exception to be made for coffee? It’s true that caffeine is a stimulant, which has the potential to improve concentration and reaction times, but experts still recommend exercising caution here. ‘In limited moderation, and if you’re able to do so safely’, says Tim, ‘small amounts of caffeine can be beneficial, although it’s best to stop if tiredness sets in’.
It’s worth bearing in mind that any benefit you may get from caffeine could be negated by the risk of an accident, which could potentially occur if your mind wanders for even a few seconds – to give yourself the best chance of making it home safely, it’s wise to stick to ‘safe’ drinks, such as water, or to wait until you’re no longer on the road before indulging.
Insurance Implications
When it comes to insurance implications, drinking coffee while driving can be a grey area – it’s considered potentially dangerous and could render you liable in a road traffic accident. However, individual policies vary, so it’s necessary to check the terms and conditions of your policy. If you decide to risk it and then find yourself in an accident, your insurers may refuse to pay out in the event of a claim for liability.
It’s also important to note that if you’re found to be drinking coffee while driving, this will be taken into account if an officer believes you weren’t driving with ‘due care and attention’ – this could potentially lead to a hefty fine and a driving ban.
Ultimately then, while it’s not explicitly against the law to drink coffee while driving, it’s still a risky behaviour – the potential risks to both you and other road users, combined with the legal implications, mean it’s generally best to give your cup of java a miss.
Alternative Strategies
If you’re just dying for a cup of coffee but don’t want to take the risk, there are ways to still get your daily caffeine fix – and stay safe: try making a detour to your destination and making a stop for a quick cup; or, if you’re heading on a longer journey, why not plan food and drink breaks into your route? This has the added advantage of giving you the chance to stretch your legs and perk up your concentration levels.
Alternatively, why not opt for a caffeinated drink to replace coffee? There are now a range of alternative drinks, such as energy drinks, that are a popular go-to choice. The key difference between these drinks and coffee is that they contain more sugar than coffee, which could cause a quick burst of energy, but could come at the cost of the dreaded ‘crash’ after – meaning it’s definitely best to take a break and give yourself time to recover.
Finally, why not try switching up your caffeine intake to something more healthy? Water and juices are always a great choice, as is ‘bulletproof coffee’ which calls for a mix of ground coffee and coconut oil – this can provide a boost of energy and mental clarity, but without the dose of caffeine that you’d get from a cup of coffee.
Health Issues
It’s also worth considering the health implications of drinking coffee while driving. While it may initially give you a nice energy boost, it’s important to recognise that too much coffee can have a negative impact on your health. Overdoing it can lead to an increased heart-rate, as well as sweating, irritability and difficulty sleeping – all of which can lead to a crash in alertness and performance.
Caffeine also has a diuretic effect, which typically increases the need to go to the toilet – not ideal if you’re on a journey and can’t find a suitable rest stop! This can also have further implications, such as dehydration, fatigue and sleepiness – all of which can significantly impact your ability to stay alert while driving.
It’s therefore important to be mindful of what you’re drinking – water is always a great choice, as it’s hydrating and reviving, but it’s always best to opt for caffeine in moderation, particularly when on the road.
Research
In 2019, researchers from the University of South Wales conducted a study to investigate the impact of drinking tea and coffee while driving. The study found that motorist reactions were slower when consuming caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and tea, when compared to non-caffeinated drinks, such as juice. This suggests that drinking coffee while driving has a greater impact on your reaction time than other non-caffeinated beverages.
The study also found that ‘drinking coffee may not provide longer-term benefit to driving performance in terms of reducing fatigue, as the stimulation of caffeine is not sustained over time’. This suggests that while you may get a quick burst of energy, it’s not something that you can rely on during a long drive.
The temptation of a pick-me-up may be hard to ignore on a long journey, but if you don’t want to risk the potential legal and insurance implications, not to mention your health, then it’s best to steer clear from the caffeine – whatever the cost.
Trends
According to recent survey results from Henley Business School at the University of Reading, the majority of drivers in the UK (78%) don’t worry about drinking coffee while driving and believe that it is safe. That said, only 22% of drivers surveyed admitted to doing it.
This low percentage could be linked to a number of factors, such as lack of knowledge, comfort and preparedness. The survey also found that 35% of drivers have a designated travel mug in their car – suggesting that they may be more aware of the potential risks.
Such findings beg the question of whether driver education could play a role in reducing the number of drivers drinking coffee while driving. The two-pronged approach of law makers and drivers alike could be beneficial in reducing the risks of road traffic accidents.
Finally, it would be interesting to see the contrast between fellow European countries in terms of their attitude and approach to drinking coffee on the road – the UK may appear more lenient on the subject compared to other countries, where it is explicitly banned. However, further research is needed to better understand the implications of the law in the respective EU member states.
