Don't drive tired

28 September 2010

What do you think when you see a driver stifling a yawn? Most of us don't give it a second thought but it's actually a warning that something is wrong. Tiredness is responsible for around one fifth of the crashes on major roads and it results in around 300 deaths every year.

Part of the problem is a lack of understanding among drivers. Research shows that drivers underestimate how quickly they could fall asleep once they've begun to flag.

Mike Ashworth, the chairman of Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership, said: "Too many drivers see tiredness as an inconvenience rather than a danger. That's why people who wouldn’t dream of getting behind the wheel after drinking will still drive while tired.

"Sleepiness is dangerous because it affects your judgement – it increases your confidence in your driving ability and can even cause mild euphoria."

Crashes caused by tiredness often involve one vehicle smashing into another or leaving the road altogether. Impacts often occur at a high speed because the sleepy driver brakes too late or not at all. Sleep-related crashes peak between 2am and 7am and between 2pm and 4pm. Research suggests that young men are particularly vulnerable to the effects of tiredness during early hours while older men are most likely to suffer from a mid-afternoon lull.

Mike Ashworth said: "Many of the people who crash when tired are driving for work. It's tempting to skip rest breaks so you can clock off earlier but it's important to have some down time during the working day.

Mike added: "Legally employers must take steps to reduce road risk. Most have strict safety policies which ban staff from driving while taking medicine that makes them drowsy or getting behind the wheel when they’ve not had enough sleep."

Motorways present a particular challenge to the weary driver. With no turnings or roundabouts to break the monotony, they can have an almost hypnotic effect on anyone who isn’t wide awake.

Mike Ashworth said: "Generally speaking motorways are safer than minor roads. It's easy to see why - they have wide, well-lit lanes and no sharp bends. The downside of motorways is that they offer very little variety and that can encourage drivers on long journeys to lose concentration.

"Always make full use of the service stations if you're going to be on the motorway for a long time. Better to arrive late than never."

Top tips for staying alert while driving:

  • Avoid alcohol and get plenty of sleep the night before your drive.

  • Avoid eating a heavy meal before you set off – it could make you sleepy.

  • Allow yourself enough time to take a 15 minute break every two hours.

  • Avoid travelling between 2am and 7am or 2pm and 4pm – this is when drivers are most likely to crash due to tiredness.

  • Take a break if you feel tired - two cups of coffee and a ‘cat nap’ can help if you've only got a short distance left to travel: if not find somewhere safe to stay overnight.