On World Mental Health Day, it’s vital to recognise how mental well-being directly affects driver fitness and road safety.

Conditions such as poor concentration, mood swings and emotional distress can impair driving ability, increase accident risk, and contribute to unsafe behaviour, including road rage.

ALSO READ: Recognition of mental health in the workplace a critical issue

While much attention is often given to physical fitness, nutrition and avoiding alcohol or drug use when assessing driver readiness, mental health plays an equally critical role.

A 2017 Mercedes-Benz study found that one in five of the 2 000 van drivers surveyed described their mental health as poor.

Driving, the study noted, is among the most stressful daily activities and demands one of the highest levels of concentration.

Mental illnesses are recognised as clinical conditions that may affect one’s fitness to drive.

Psychiatric disorders can impair the cognitive and executive functions needed for safe driving, while the medications prescribed for these conditions can further disrupt perception, reaction time and information processing.

It’s not only the illness itself that can reduce driving ability, but also the side-effects of psychotropic medication.

These can include psychomotor impairment and slowed reaction times, both of which increase crash risk.

Experts advise that anyone starting or adjusting such medication should avoid driving until side-effects—such as perceptual or motor skill difficulties—are no longer likely to interfere with safe driving.

Ultimately, managing one’s mental and emotional state is as important as maintaining physical health when it comes to staying safe behind the wheel.

Source – www.arrivealive.co.za

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY