With the number of flu cases expected to rise even further in the coming weeks, the public are being reminded to think road safety. Road Safety Officer with Mayo county Council Noel Gibbons, told Midwest News today that many drivers are putting themselves at risk this winter by taking cough and cold remedies that can cause drowziness, making  them unsafe on the roads.

Its claimed that medication bought over the counter in pharmacies, as well as prescription drugs, can lead to drowsiness that is the equivalent of being drunk. Motorists taking medication should consult their doctor or pharmacist first.

Research in the UK using a driving simulator, found that people who drove with heavy colds or the flu, without taking any medication,  took 10 per cent longer to react than healthy drivers.