A study conducted in Saudi Arabia has shown that over three times as many drivers drink coffee to help them stay alert behind the wheel than use energy drinks. The research, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Continental Tires as part of its Vision Zero safety initiative, reveals how drivers turn to different types of caffeinated drinks to help them maintain concentration, but warns of the dangers of relying on certain types of beverages to enhance levels of alertness.
Of those questioned, just 15 percent turn to energy drinks for an energy boost, as opposed to 49 percent who choose coffee to help them stay alert. While the most popular drink overall was tea, far fewer — 35 percent — drink tea to benefit from any extra “kick” it gives them. Just 9 percent of respondents choose carbonated beverages to boost their levels of alertness, with this figure rising to 11 percent and 17 percent for drinkers of karak chai and hot chocolate respectively.
But with over half a million accidents in 2016, recent efforts have been made by the Saudi government to improve urban mobility by investing in safe infrastructure. As motorists in the Kingdom are urged to pay extra attention and be more attentive while driving, Continental’s survey raises questions about how a driver’s choice of drink actually helps enhance their driving ability.
Dr. Dana Al-Hamwi, GCC-based medical doctor and certified clinical dietician, founder of Dr. Dana Diet Center (DDDC) and a regular expert commentator on MBC and Dubai TV, said: “Studies have shown that a cup of coffee or tea can be a ‘quick-fix’ for tired drivers. But caffeinated drinks shouldn’t be relied upon to maintain focus and concentration when on the roads.”
She added: “Caffeine has no stimulation effect on the brain. Indeed, excessive caffeine consumption can cause symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching and slurred speech. At the same time, drinks that are high in sugar content can actually lead to fatigue.”
Jose Luis de la Fuente, managing director of Continental Middle East, said: “There are many different elements that can play a role in road accidents, and the human factor is just one of these. This is why driver education is a key element of Continental’s Vision Zero initiative. In undertaking this study, we wanted to better understand how the effect of consuming different drinks influences drivers in Saudi Arabia.”