Many people have taken the challenge of holding their breath while driving or riding through a tunnel. Some people say if you can hold it the entire distance of the tunnel, you are rewarded with good luck. Most people just do it for fun and competition and think of it as a friendly game.

One man was attempting to hold his breath while driving through a tunnel and passed out at the wheel, causing a three-car crash in a tunnel northwest of Portland, Oregon.

Daniel J. Calhon, of Snohomish, Washington passed out and then drifted into the other lane where he hit a Ford Explorer head-on. The two cars then hit into the wall of the tunnel and Calhon’s car was hit by a pickup truck.

Calhon and the people in the Explorer were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and the people in the pickup truck were not injured. There were several other vehicles driving through the tunnel at the time of the accident, but all of them were able to avoid the collision.
Calhon told investigators what had happened and they confirmed that there were no drugs or alcohol involved.

The tunnel in which the accident occurred is only 772 feet long and the speed limit in the tunnel is 55mph. It should only take a car driving the speed limit about 10 seconds to make it through the tunnel. Most people do not have a hard time holding their breath for that amount of time.
Calhon was not sure why he passed out so easily but was shaken up by the accident and apologetic.

He was cited for reckless driving, three counts of reckless endangerment and fourth-degree assault. Police are still investigating the accident but believe Calhon is being honest.

How long can you hold your breath?

Image via Wikimedia Commons