Sleepy Drivers on the Increase

Drivers, including HGV and lorry drivers are being strongly advised to take regular rest stops whilst on long journeys. Many drivers admit to being sleepy on the roads yet continue to drive. In the Uk driver fatigue is one of the biggest causes of HGV related accidents.   

A recent survey undertaken by road safety charity Brake have found that 74% of drivers over the last 12 months have confessed to driving whilst tired, with 9% of those admitting to being sleepy at the wheel at least one day a week. This is an enormous increase from six years ago when 46% confessed to being tired when on the move.

It is estimated that one fifth of fatal accidents on major roads are caused by tired drivers. This said, the figure could in fact be higher as it can be tricky to establish when a crash was caused by a driver falling asleep. The accidents tend to be high speed crashes because the drivers are unaware of the fact they need to break quickly. The risk of fatality or serious injury is therefore far greater.

Despite the seriousness of this matter, the majority of drivers are unaware of how often they should take rest stops whilst on the road and what they should do to prevent getting sleepy and such catastrophes occurring.

Top Tips For All Drivers

• Take a break every two hours on long journeys.
• Pull over somewhere safe to rest at the first signs of feeling tired.
• If possible drink caffeine.
• Don’t rely on air-con or an open window to keep you awake.
• Stop to take a short power nap.
• On lengthy drives find somewhere to stay overnight and get a good night’s sleep.