The season for coughs and colds is now upon us and that means individuals up and down the country will be soldiering on even when they feel like death warmed up, heading into work and going about their daily routines when all they really want is to curl up in bed.

As a result, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has offered a warning to all road users that driving when unwell can be a recipe for disaster, so they should try to avoid it when possible if they are feeling under the weather.

Failure to heed the signs of illness can lead to some serious implications for motorists, as being ill can not only impact an individual's concentration, but it can also considerably increase their reaction times – both issues that drivers should wish to avoid at all costs.

It might be that many people choose to fight the symptoms of illness with medication in order to continue to go about their daily lives as normal, but in these cases drivers should also be wary, as while many over-the-counter treatments can reduce symptoms like a runny nose or sneezing, some can also cause drowsiness.

Therefore, anyone planning to take to the roads after consuming medication should always examine the side-effects of what they are taking first.

Finally, the IAM warns drivers also need to be aware of the dangers of sneezing and coughing at the wheel, as they will travel on average up to 50 ft with their eyes closed every time they sneeze.

All of these issues combined mean that the autumn and winter can be a treacherous time for road users should they fall ill and this – compounded by the fact that adverse weather is also more likely at this time of year, which can also lead to an increased risk of being involved in an accident – means people should seriously consider avoiding taking to the roads when they are struck by illness.