Here's a thought: In 2002 New Scientist warned of the cat-borne brain-dwelling parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a distant relative of the malaria parasite). People carrying Toxoplasma react about 8 per cent slower than those free of it – which could be the difference between life and death for those out on the road. It was reported that “humans with a latent infection are 2.7 times more likely to be involved in a car accident”.
“It didn’t matter whether the subject was a driver or a pedestrian, having the parasite made you more of a danger to other road users,” it went on. Have you got it? Toxoplasma infection generally goes undiagnosed, so keep your eye on the road.