Drivers face JAIL if they eat too much of their favourite Easter treat before hitting the road, motor expert warns

SCOFFING too much chocolate before getting behind the wheel this Easter could land you in serious trouble.

Motorists face hefty fines, driving bans and even spells behind bars after one too many choccie eggs, a motoring expert has warned.

That's because of the little-known effect the foil-wrapped sweet treats can have on our reaction times on the roads.

Duncan McClure Fisher, CEO at motoring association , has warned demolishing more than a sensible amount could leave you feeling tired and sluggish - and therefore a danger behind the wheel.

One of the main issues, he says, is the high sugar content in chocolate, particularly the milk and white varieties that make up the most popular on the market.

Eating large quantities hikes blood sugar levels which causes the body to produce insulin to fight the effects.

But it often overcompensates, making blood sugar levels crash and leaving you feeling tired, irritable and even dizzy.

Chocolate is also high in fat, which your body takes longer to digest, which can also leave you slower with potentially reduced reaction times.

While there is no specific offence for driving while tired, if it's proven to be the cause of a crash or other serious incident, you could be charged with dangerous driving.

This could land you with a driving ban, an unlimited fine, and even up to 14 years behind bars for the most serious cases.

According to road safety charity Brake, one in six accidents on UK roads that result in injury or death are related to driving while fatigued.

Duncan said: "Many people are looking forward to the Easter weekend as a chance to enjoy themselves and see friends and relatives.

"Tradition dictates that it’s the most chocoholic holiday of the year – with eggs and other treats a common sight in households across the country.

"While this is fairly harmless in itself, despite not always being good news for the waistline, what many people don’t factor in is that eating a lot of chocolate has an effect on the body that can be a problem if you’re driving home."

Even dark chocolate, which contains much less sugar and fat than the other varieties, could pose problems, he warns.

A 2019 study carried out by scientists at Ziauddin University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, concluded that chocolate of more than 70 per cent cocoa concentration can "induce sleep" due to its high magnesium content.

Duncan added: "It’s vital for motorists to be aware of all factors that can affect their performance.

"Anything that distracts or dulls your awareness when in charge of a vehicle is potentially very serious.

"Obviously, if you feel tired or sluggish the best advice is not to drive in the first place.

"If these sensations develop while you are travelling, pull over and take a break.

"Having a power nap or drinking a cup of coffee could help in the short term, but much better to plan your journeys and lifestyle choices to make sure this is not the case."