The Austrian Workers' Samaritan Federation (ASBÖ) has issued a series of medical recommendations for motorists at the start of the peak travel season. Given the high summer temperatures and the predicted heavy holiday traffic on European transit routes, the aid organization is highlighting the physical risks to the human body.
According to Federal Chief Physician Michael Gruska, fluid loss and circulatory problems during long journeys and unforeseen traffic jams rapidly lead to fatigue and reduced concentration, which demonstrably increases the risk of accidents on the motorways.
To prevent heat-related emergencies on the roads, the organization advises scheduling longer journeys for the cooler night or early morning hours. In addition to avoiding heavy meals and carrying sufficient quantities of non-alcoholic beverages, it is particularly recommended that people with chronic illnesses consult a doctor before traveling. Certain medications, such as blood pressure medications or diuretics, can negatively affect the body's thermoregulation in hot weather or increase the skin's sensitivity to light when exposed to direct sunlight in a vehicle. Furthermore, a warning is issued about the drastic temperature increases in parked vehicles, which can become life-threatening for children or pets left inside within just a few minutes.
Traffic psychologists and physicians regularly emphasize in this context that drivers' self-assessment of their performance in extreme weather is often inadequate. Statistical analyses by automobile clubs such as the ÖAMTC and the ADAC show that the number of rear-end collisions and breakdowns increases significantly on hot days, as drivers' reaction times are impaired under thermal stress to a similar degree as under the influence of alcohol. Criticisms in travel medicine also frequently concern the incorrect use of air conditioning in vehicles, as an excessively cold interior temperature can lead to acute circulatory collapse upon exiting the vehicle.
The effectiveness of such awareness campaigns remains controversial among experts, as the number of emergency calls due to dehydration and exhaustion on highways remains consistently high despite annual warnings from rescue organizations. Experts are therefore calling for better logistical preparation by highway operators, in addition to individual behavioral tips, to ensure a rapid supply of drinking water and medical assistance to those stuck in traffic jams during prolonged summer congestion.