Smoking While Driving Can Lead to Accidents Claims a US Study
Posted on May 10, 2008 in Current Affairs by Danteshwari
Smoking while driving is a major contributor to motor-vehicle accidents and injuries. It is major risk factor for injuries, which include fires, non-coordination, depressed reflexes, impaired fitness and depressed moods.
This was revealed in a US study carried out by B.N. Leistikow, S.J. Samuels and D.C. Martic, who interviewed adults ranging from 18 plus. Those who took part in the study were classified into those who never smoked, ex-smokers and current smokers.
The study observed that that those who smoked had excess high dose of responses to injury and death. This supports the view that smoking perhaps is a leading contributor to injuries.
Researchers felt that the correlation between smoking and driving should be observed in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Accidents involving smoking should be studied in a similar manner that alcohol related accidents are done.
Dr. Ashok Seth, who is the chairman and chief cardiologist of Max Heart Institute, commenting on the study, said smoking was a distraction, more distractive than any other activity in the car. Cigarettes are inflammable and can cause fires. The driver’s attention is often diverted in getting rid of the ash. He ends up driving with one hand. Smoking also releases certain hormones, which increases confidence levels, causing the smoker to commit errors.
The study is of much importance to Indian conditions, as smoking is responsible for one in 20 deaths among women. Among men, it is responsible for one in five deaths, who are between 30-69 years. By 2010, smoking will be responsible for one million deaths in the country.
Dr. Anoop Mishra is of the view that smoking damages some motor reflexes and has a negative impact on message transfer in the brain as a result of shifts in neurochemicals. This can impair motor task such as driving. He further admits that smoking causes permanent damage to neurons, which results in the decline of the intellectual functions.
Source : TOI May 10, 2008
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