Excerpt: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM-- 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(2).

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(3) - the equivalent of downing a double whisky before getting behind the wheel.

The experiment put drivers with a variety of conditions, including PMT, stress, and headaches, through an approved hazard simulator test. Those suffering from colds and flu came off worst, with reaction times and alertness slashed compared to a healthy driver.

According to the motor insurance provider, one in 10 road accidents in 2008 can be attributed to driver flu(4) - which landed the nation with a Pounds Sterling 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(5).

Despite the risks, public awareness of the problem is low,...