Coughs and colds can have a similar effect on driving as booze!

A recent survey has shown that the symptoms associated with a cough and cold can reduce your level of alertness to a similar level as if you had consumed 4 pints of beer or lager. The survey indicates that coughs and colds can have a similar effect on our driving.

Nevertheless needs must and it’s not unusual for us to jump in the car and drive in order to do our daily tasks.

However pause for a moment; if you have consumed 4 pints of beer, would you be so casual in jumping into your car and driving? Probably not as we all know that not only will you most likely be over the legal limit but the consumption of alcohol dulls our senses and makes us less competent drivers.

Our specialist litigation and personal injury solicitor, Vijay Srivastava comments, “During this season of coughs and colds it is likely that on some days you will feel less than 100%. The blocked nose, fuzzy head, aching bones, bleary eyes and blocked ears makes one feel very sorry for oneself.

It is all a question of reaction time. Accidents can be avoided if our eyes, brain, hands and feet can all act rapidly so as to avoid us driving into that child, cyclist or car. The slower our reaction times the more likely we are regrettably to collide with one of those people or objects.”

The next time we suffer with a cold and cough and feel sorry for ourselves, spare a thought for others and consider whether our reaction times have been reduced.

Our personal injury team would be happy to offer you advice on any accident you have been involved in or injury you may have suffered. Please call 0161 624 6811 to start with and then we can either arrange a face-to-face meeting to discuss the incident in more detail or we offer consultations via Skype.

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Vijay Srivastava

Partner

Vijay is the Senior Partner and heads up the Litigation team at Wrigley Claydon, where he has worked for over 30 years, amassing a wealth of experience. Many years ago, Vijay was appointed to the Law Society Personal Injury Solicitor Panel as a specialist in injury claims. This has led him to act in many high value injury claims and medical negligence cases. His experience in and knowledge of procedural matters and the interpretation of medico-legal reports and other expert evidence, combined with his friendly but professional approach, enable Vijay to provide a service to clients we believe is second to none. 
 Vijay advises both Corporate and Private clients on cost-effective ways of bringing and defending claims in the Courts. He has successfully acted on numerous large contractual claims and many disputed probate cases. Vijay has lived in Oldham most of his life. After graduating from Leeds University, he trained at Wrigley Claydon, where he soon became one of the youngest partners in the country. Vijay is happily married and has two children. He has served as a member of the Parochial Church Council at St. Paul’s Church and as a Founder Trustee of Emmaus Mossley takes a great interest in the local community. He is now the Chairman of Governors at the school (Oldham Hulme Grammar) where he was once the head boy. Vijay is also a Trustee of the nationally acclaimed Francis House Children's Hospice as well as being an Assessor in Oldham's "Dragon's Den".

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