Nissan: Driving dehydrated as dangerous as drink driving

Nissan has responded to the findings of 2015 study which concluded that dehydrated drivers are as dangerous as drunk drivers by developing a steering wheel and seat cover which can confirm whether your body is dangerously lacking fluids.

The report, published by the European Hydration Institute, found dehydrated drivers made double the number of mistakes on the road as a drunk driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 per cent.

According to the research, two-thirds of drivers are incapable of recognising the symptoms of dehydration - such as tiredness, dizziness, headaches and a dry mouth.

In response, Nissan has applied sweat-sensing fabrics to a Nissan JUKE's front seats and steering wheel.

Measuring the sweat content in hands and clothes, the fabric - developed in cooperation with Dutch brand Droog - changes colour.

If it changes to yellow, the fabric has detected dehydration.

Once rehydrated, the fabric changes to blue.

Despite the breakthrough in dehydration detection, Nissan says it has no plans to introduce the smart fabric on any production vehicles.

Instead, the Japanese giant hopes to raise awareness of the potential dangers of driving while dehydrated by releasing a new video, starring NISMO race driver, Lucas Ordonez, which explains how the new technology works.