Is driving while sick worse than driving while drunk?

More than 125, 000 crashes were caused last year by motorists with colds and flu, as new scientific research reveals the serious impact of driver illness on accident rates.

A new study commissioned by Lloyds TSB Insurance proves that driving with a virus such as cold or flu, impairs driver awareness by as much as 11 per cent – the equivalent of downing a double whisky before getting behind the wheel.

And:

According to the motor insurance provider, one in 10 road accidents in 2008 can be attributed to driver flu – which landed the nation with a £350 million bill. What’s more, they are predicting a significant rise in such incidents over the next few months as cold and flu pandemics grip the nation.

I found this study via the very interesting book Willpower: Resdiscovering the Greatest Human Strength.