15 Aug Car Accidents Caused by Side Effects of Concussions
Concussions aren’t just a worry for football players. Anyone who drives needs to know about recent scientific findings about the connection between car accidents and the delayed side effects of concussions.
Impaired Driving Days Later
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia, tested 14 drivers in their late teens and early 20s. All had experienced a concussion, but symptoms had gone away at least 48 hours before they were tested.
Or so they thought. The people in the study went through driving simulation tests, monitored by scientists. All of the participants had impaired driving.
Specific problems they displayed included less than optimum control of the vehicle and repeated swerving. In fact, the drivers acted like they were drunk. Researchers said that made sense because alcohol and concussions both affect functions like memory, coordination and vision.
Concussions Cause Car Accidents
The results of the study starkly outlined a problem that hasn’t been taken seriously before. It shows that it is highly likely for someone with a recent concussion to be in a car accident.
The people who conducted the study pointed out that affected football players must pass a stringent set of tests before they are allowed back on the field. But no such assessments are in place for drivers who have had a concussion.
Experts have long known that concussions are complex injuries. The problem doesn’t just heal up and go away. The side effects can linger for a long time. In this situation, you could potentially seek out treatments such as marijuana for post concussion syndrome. However, it is always recommended that you speak to a medical professional before you go down a treatment route.
Current guidelines suggest a person should go to a doctor, rest and not perform demanding physical or mental activity. The study strongly suggests that driving needs to be considered a demanding mental-physical activity.
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