Highway Code rule drivers must follow during heatwave
Motorists who do not follow the rules could face hefty fines
Drivers have been told to follow a Highway Code rule as Wales experiences a heatwave
(Image: Getty Images )
With temperatures soaring in Wales, drivers have been warned of the Highway Code rule they must follow, as driving in hot conditions could put them and their passengers at risk of heatstroke. Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, warns that the temperature inside a vehicle can rise significantly within minutes, even with the windows slightly open.
Heatstroke is an issue that people are increasingly concerned about, with searches for the condition increasing over 185 percent in the past month. It's for good reason that people are concerned about heatstroke, as it's a potentially life-threatening condition.
And Rule 237 of the Highway Code states that drivers are required to keep their cars well-ventilated to avoid drowsiness.
Select's Mr Conway said motorists and passengers should make sure they take on board fluids – with the NHS recommended at least six to eight glasses of water per day – even if it means more toilet stops on road trips.
He added: 'If you're stuck in traffic, driving a long distance, or your car's air conditioning isn't working properly, it's possible that you could experience heat stroke behind the wheel.
'Typically your body cools itself through sweating, but if you're dehydrated or sitting in a poorly-ventilated car, your body isn't able to cool itself down effectively.
Article continues below
"This can quickly lead to symptoms of heatstroke which include headaches, dizziness, nausea, cramps, tiredness and weakness.
'And driving poses a particular problem when it comes to heatstroke. Many motorists will skimp on their fluid intake during long trips in order to limit the number of comfort breaks they need to take. But that tactic could be catastrophic for a person's health.
'The signs of heatstroke can come on quickly and once your concentration starts to slip, your ability to make quick decisions or even stay alert at the wheel is compromised, which increases the risk of accidents.
'According to Rule 237 of the Highway Code, drivers are required to keep their cars well-ventilated to avoid drowsiness. Drivers who fail to take the heat seriously while driving could also be hit with hefty fines, if they're found to be driving carelessly.
"Drivers could face a fine an unlimited fine and up to nine points on their licence for this offence.
'To ensure proper ventilation in your car, open all the windows slightly when you first get in the car to remove the trapped air. If you're stuck in traffic, rather use the recirculation button to allow your car to rather recirculate the cooler air in your car.
'However, if you're stuck in traffic for long periods, it's best to switch between AC and the recirculation button, as the recirculation button can decrease the oxygen levels in the car, which can also lead to drowsiness.
'For those who spend a lot of their time driving, it's always best to ensure that you have plenty of water available in your car and wear light clothing.
"If you notice signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke setting in while driving, pull over safely as soon as possible, turn off the engine, get out of the car into the shade, and rehydrate.'
Article continues below
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Why women are way more tired than men right now
Link is copied Comments We've heard of the gender pay gap. But did you know there's an energy gap, too? That's according to new research by Holland & Barrett, which revealed that 52% of women feel too tired to complete household chores, compared to just 35% of men. In addition, the study also found that the UK as a whole is pretty much exhausted: 72% of us don't have the energy to get through the day, while 42% of us admit to eating our way through tiredness for a quick sugar lift (Picture: Getty Images) To understand this energy gap — and why it exists — Metro spoke to Emily Foster, Holland & Barrett sport nutritionist. She explains that a complex mix of biology, lifestyle, and social expectations can be attributed to why women report feeling more tired than men. Foster also shares symptoms of energy loss and tips on how to close this gap once and for all (Picture: Getty Images) 'Biologically, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle play a significant role in energy levels,' says Foster. For example, lower hormone levels during menstruation can cause fatigue and disrupt sleep. Oestrogen dips, especially in the luteal phase, often bring PMS symptoms, including low energy. 'Pregnancy and postpartum are also physically demanding periods marked by significant hormonal shifts, while menopause brings further fatigue due to hormone changes, poor sleep, and mood changes,' the expert adds. On top of this, Foster says that, comparably with men, many women face underdiagnosed health issues such as anaemia, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune conditions like lupus and fibromyalgia. All of these can cause chronic fatigue (Picture: Getty Images) 'Low energy can manifest in multiple ways — physically, mentally, and socially,' notes Foster. In terms of the former, this can manifest as constant tiredness despite adequate sleep, heavy limbs, and reduced stamina for everyday activities. Mentally, she says you might notice slower reactions, from difficulty focusing to forgetfulness. 'These are all signs that your brain isn't functioning at its optimal energy level.' Feeling irritable or emotionally overwhelmed during social situations? Or, feel like you want to withdraw from interactions completely? Foster says that while we can all relate to cancelling social plans and skipping the gym when tired, a consistent lack of energy, which impacts general wellbeing and lifestyle, does need addressing (Picture: Getty Images) 'Feeling chronically tired is your body's way of asking for better support,' Foster says, adding that better hydration, regular movement and enough quality sleep are crucial, but nutrition also plays a central role in sustaining energy throughout the day.' Case in point: Further Holland & Barrett research found that 29% of people rely on coffee for energy. 'While caffeine offers a quick boost, sustainable energy comes from nutrient-dense, balanced meals,' stresses the expert. Here are Foster's top tips on how to close the energy gap... (Picture: Getty Images) 'Even mild dehydration can sap your energy,' says Foster. If you're planning a workout, she advises drinking water before, during, and after workouts. 'For sessions over an hour or in hot weather, consider adding electrolytes to replace minerals lost through sweat,' she adds. Similarly, if you're not planning on exercising, drinking enough water is key for sustaining energy levels. The NHS says 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day is enough (Picture: Getty Images) 'Food provides energy through molecules like glucose, which are primarily sourced from macronutrients.' Foster says these usually come from carbohydrates, a small amount from fats, and protein. 'But micronutrients — like B vitamins and amino acids — also contribute to energy production,' she adds. Additionally, the amount of energy in food is measured in calories (kcal); however, it's not as simple as eating lots of high-calorie foods to boost energy levels, she explains. 'Instead, we need to consider if we're eating sustainable sources of energy — including foods like fibre, healthy fats, protein and unrefined carbohydrates to give the body a steady source of energy over a longer period' (Picture: Getty Images) Foster also states that regularly eating small meals and snacks may help to keep your energy up. Some research suggests that eating four to six small meals daily, including healthy snacks, can help to keep your blood glucose steady. But, if you prefer to have fewer meals, she recommends incorporating more healthy snacks into your day for an energy boost. And, rather than loading up on sugary snacks, focus on slow-release energy from whole foods. Examples of these include... (Picture: Getty Images) • Chia seeds: 'High in protein, healthy fats, and fibre, they support stable energy levels,' Foster says. She adds that because seeds contain protein and fibre, they're key for slower digestion and 'crucially' a slower release of energy. Foster recommends mixing chia seeds with fruit and yoghurt to make a balanced, energy-boosting snack. • Almonds: These are rich in B2 (riboflavin), copper, and manganese, which are vital for energy production. • Fruits: Bananas are highly advised for boosting energy levels, as they're packed full of energy-rich carbohydrates. Apples and strawberries are great too, as they contain natural sugars and are high in fibre. 'This means the energy that apples provide is of the longer-lasting sort, therefore you won't experience a crash,' Foster concludes (Picture: Getty Images) Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Fizzy drinks, ice cream and instant noodles could up your risk of LUNG cancer by 41%
Munching junk is especially bad news for both non-small cell lung cancer and the deadlier small cell type, experts say FOOD FOR THOUGHT Fizzy drinks, ice cream and instant noodles could up your risk of LUNG cancer by 41% Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOFFING fizzy drinks, ice cream and instant noodles could send your lung cancer risk soaring by 41 per cent, experts warn. A major study has found people who munch the most ultra-processed foods - or UPFs - are far more likely to get the disease than those who avoid them. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Fizzy drinks have been linked to lung cancer Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 The findings don't prove ultra-processed foods cause cancer, rather that people should still try to cut down Credit: Getty An international team of scientists said junk food is particularly bad for non-small cell lung cancer and the more aggressive small cell type. Professor Sam Hare, consultant chest radiologist at the Royal Free London NHS Trust, said: 'A quarter of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers so we do need research exploring whether other factors are associated with lung cancer." The study tracked the diets and health of more than 100,000 adults in the US over 12 years and found 1,706 went on to develop lung cancer. On average, people had nearly three servings of UPFs a day, but some had up to six. The favourites across diets were soft drinks and lunch meats. But the list also includes fried food, cakes, pastries, salty snacks, breakfast cereals, instant noodles and soups, margarine, sweets, burgers, hot dogs and pizza. Those who scoffed the most UPFs were 41 per cent more likely to get lung cancer than those who ate the least, according to findings in Thorax. The research team, tried to account for whether people smoked or not, but not how heavily, which could still skew the results. They warned the findings don't prove UPFs cause lung cancer, but said people should still try to cut down. They wrote: 'Although additional research in other populations and settings is warranted, these findings suggest the healthy benefits of limiting UPF. I'm a doctor and these 5 changes could be a sign of deadly lung cancer "Limiting trends of UPF intake globally could contribute to reducing the burden of lung cancer.' Prof Hare said further work was needed "to establish direct causation between UPFs and lung cancer". "Crucially, whilst the study does make some adjustments for smoking status, the amount of smoking is not factored in, which is known to be directly related to lung cancer development," he said. 'Dietary habits also change considerably over the course of such long-term studies. 3 Lung cancer symptoms usually only emerge as the disease develops "It's difficult to directly conclude that lung cancer is related to the level of UPF consumption alone given it was only declared at the start of the study. 'That said, given the relative lack of info on non-smoking risk factors for lung cancer, it's important that the scientific community does more studies like this – we need genuine evidence-based advancement in early diagnosis of lung cancer in non-smokers, but this study isn't quite able to give us the answers yet.' The findings come as a separate study looked at teenage smoking in the UK over 50 years. Experts from the University of Michigan tracked rates in 16 and 17-year-olds from 1974 to 2018, and found it had dropped from 33 per cent to 12 per cent. But in 2018, 11 per cent of older teens were vaping and those who did were far more likely to go on to smoke. Writing in Tobacco Control, the authors said just 1.5 per cent of non-vaping teens picked up cigarettes, compared to 33 per cent of vapers. 'Tobacco control efforts should continue to focus on the prevention of general youth nicotine use and to specifically target youth who use e-cigarettes because their risk of cigarette smoking is similar to youth in the 1970s,' they wrote. But some academics have slammed the findings, saying the conclusion is 'not justified'.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Breakthrough study finds it takes 3.5 years to diagnose dementia after first symptoms
It takes an average of 3.5 years to diagnose patients with dementia following their first symptoms, according to researchers. Early diagnosis and intervention is crucial in managing symptoms of dementia and developing an effective treatment course. However, experts fear that delays in vital treatment may occur due to confusion over symptoms, stigma and inconsistent approaches by medical professionals, among other things. Dementia is a condition that impacts's a person's thinking, memory, and behavior. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and more than 6 million Americans are affected by the progressive brain disorder. Symptoms include issues with memory, attention, communication, and vision problems. 'Timely diagnosis of dementia remains a major global challenge, shaped by a complex set of factors, and specific healthcare strategies are urgently needed to improve it. Other studies estimate that only 50 to 65 percent of cases are ever diagnosed in high-income countries, with many countries having even lower diagnostic rates,' Dr. Vasiliki Orgeta, an associate professor at University College London's Division of Psychiatry, said in a statement. U.K. researchers announced this week that it takes an average of more than three years to diagnose people with dementia following their first symptoms. But, early diagnosis is crucial to improve their quality of life later on (AFP via Getty Images) 'Timely diagnosis can improve access to treatments and for some people prolong the time living with mild dementia before symptoms worsen,' she added. The university's researchers also found that, for some, that diagnosis time may be even longer. For patients with early-onset dementia, it may take as long as four years. Early-onset dementia refers to dementia in someone younger than age 65. Those with frontotemporal dementia, the most common form for those under 60, are also were 'consistently associated with a longer interval to diagnosis.' The conclusions were the result of an analysis of 13 previously published international studies that reported data on 30,257 participants. The studies included medical records and interviews of patients or family members. Notably, while data on racial disparities was limited, one of the studies reviewed found that Black patients tended to experience a longer delay before diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Nearly seven million Americans are affected by the progressive brain disorder (Getty Images) The authors noted that missed symptoms mistaken for aging, limited access to specialist care, language differences, and low public awareness could have an impact on diagnosis time. Orgeta said that their work highlights 'the need for clear conceptual framework on time to diagnosis in dementia.' 'To speed up dementia diagnosis, we need action on multiple fronts. Public awareness campaigns can help improve understanding of early symptoms and reduce stigma, encouraging people to seek help sooner,' she said. 'Clinician training is critical to improve early recognition and referral, along with access to early intervention and individualised support so that people with dementia and their families can get the help they need.' A test has recently been developed that scientists say could predict dementia up to nine years before diagnosis, with 80 percent accuracy. The study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of global evidence examining time to diagnosis in dementia. It was published this week in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry .
