• 46 percent of UAE drivers drink coffee to stay alert
• 27 percent of drivers feel tired and unfocused if they don’t have their preferred drink
• New study by Continental Tires highlights how different drinks are used to maintain concentration but warns of potential dangers around this

Dubai, UAE, July 25, 2017 – A study conducted in the UAE has shown that almost 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 Vison 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 drink to enhance levels of alertness.

Of those questioned, just 16 percent turn to energy drinks for an energy boost, as opposed to 46 percent who choose coffee to help them stay alert. While the most popular drink overall was tea, far fewer – 39 percent – drink tea to benefit from any extra ‘kick’ it gives them. Just 13 percent of respondents choose carbonated beverages to boost their levels of alertness, with this figure rising to 17 percent and 24 percent for drinkers of hot chocolate and Karak Chai respectively.

But with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority recently highlighting that poor concentration, inattentiveness and tiredness raise the likelihood of crashes, Continental’s survey raises questions about how a driver’s choice of drink actually helps enhance their driving ability. 

Continental’s survey asked 1,002 UAE respondents about their habitual drink intake as well as what they felt the impact to be of not being able to consume their preferred drink. Of these, 27 percent claimed not having their drink of choice left them tired and unfocused, with 24 percent acknowledging it negatively impacted their levels of concentration.

As a frontrunner in automotive technological advancements and road safety, Continental is a dedicated advocate of greater safety on the roads - the company’s global Vision Zero initiative aims to totally eradicate road accidents and achieve Zero fatalities, Zero injuries and Zero accidents on the roads. The survey was commissioned by Continental as part of its approach to delivering Vision Zero through enhancing drivers’ knowledge, attitude and awareness.

Based on the understanding that caffeinated drinks provide a limited boost to maintaining alertness, Continental Middle East and Dr Al-Hamwi have come up with the following top-ten health and nutrition tips to help provide drivers with a safer driving experience:

1. Drink enough water to boost the electrical energy in the brain for all body functions
2. Avoid snacks with high salt or sugar content
3. Eat regular meals and consume fruit and vegetables
4. Avoid fast food and sugary drinks
5. Avoid medications that cause drowsiness
6. Chew gum to help increase focus on the road and reduce tension
7. Smaller healthy snacks are better than big meals
8. Have healthy snacks including carrots, celery, grapes, cheese sticks and grilled chicken strips
9. Follow your body clock and stop for a break on long trips
10. Make sure to allow fresh air to circulate inside the car cabin