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Drinking coffee and driving

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Cumbrianmale56 Wed 05-Aug-26 15:56:56

Could anyone help me with this one please? I've noticed if I've had two cups of coffee before I set off on a longish drive that I suddenly feel an urge to go to the toiet and have to stop suddenly to relieve myself. ( First time I found a pub to stop at, second time stop on a lay by and run into the bushes, which I know could have me questioned by the police). This has been embarassing and a little worrying, as it nearly caused a crash first time.
I have read that coffee is a diuretic and a forum I read stated that anyone undertaking a journey of more than 20 minutes should only have one small coffee before driving and try to uirinate before leaving home. Also more than one cup can cause a higher level of stress and aggression when driving.
Can any Gransnetters help me on this one please and advise of alternatives to drink before I set off on a longer jiurney.

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Bea65 Wed 05-Aug-26 15:59:34

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

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Wheniwasyourage Wed 05-Aug-26 16:02:46

Cumbrianmale56 has been posting for a while, Bea65. It seems to me to be a reasonable question.

Would plain water not be better than coffee perhaps?

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Ziplok Wed 05-Aug-26 16:02:48

Bea65

Message deleted by GNHQ

This poster has posted before Bea65, so I don’t think he’s a troll.
I suggest just water Cumbrianmale56, and perhaps not just before you set off on a long journey.

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Ziplok Wed 05-Aug-26 16:04:07

Great minds, Wheniwasyourage 😁

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Casdon Wed 05-Aug-26 16:07:04

No, it’s a regular poster Bea65.

One cup of coffee in the morning actually helps me focus if I’m on a long journey, which I frequently am as I live three hours drive from my parents, and I never stop on the way. I don’t think one cup would normally make people desperate for the toilet in less than an hour at least, Cumbrianmale56, I wonder if it’s anxiety about the drive that is affecting you?

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Bea65 Wed 05-Aug-26 16:11:49

Apologies but think we all know coffee is a diuretic and best to have water in car…
Poster says already had 2 near accidents so …why the question

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Wheniwasyourage Wed 05-Aug-26 16:13:58

Indeed, Ziplock! smile

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AGAA4 Wed 05-Aug-26 16:36:14

Peppermint tea can soothe the bladder and is a pleasant drink.

Coffee can irritate it and better to wait till your journey is over before your first cup.
Water not good either as passes through quicker than other drinks.

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Cumbrianmale56 Wed 05-Aug-26 16:43:21

Casdon

No, it’s a regular poster Bea65.

One cup of coffee in the morning actually helps me focus if I’m on a long journey, which I frequently am as I live three hours drive from my parents, and I never stop on the way. I don’t think one cup would normally make people desperate for the toilet in less than an hour at least, Cumbrianmale56, I wonder if it’s anxiety about the drive that is affecting you?

There is a section of the A595 to Carlisle that has two long sections of roadworks and this is where the urges have kicked in, It's not pleasant and is a valid question to ask especially if you're driving for over an hour.
I think maybe one weak coffee or a tea might be better and to avoid the A595 at the moment, and take a slightly longer route to Carlisle. Also drinking two strong cups of coffee could be causing the anciety as well as the urge to urinate.
To the person who said I'm a troll earlier on, I've been on Granser for 2 years and this is a particularly valid question for older people who drive.

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