Public Servant Lifestyle

Drivers are being warned about driving tired - in particular if they get up unusually early 'to make good time' on a trip.

The research - carried out by a team from Loughborough University on selected motorways and trunk roads - shows that:

17% of road crashes resulting in injury or death were sleep related

One quarter of all road crashes that caused death or serious injury were sleep related

85% of drivers causing sleep related crashes were men

67% of sleep related crashes were caused by car drivers and 32% were caused by drivers of good vehicles

While road crashes occur mostly on Fridays, these sleep related crashes occurred least on Fridays and mostly on Mondays

Microsleeps

The findings coincide with the Department for Transport (DfT) campaign alerting drivers to the dangers of 'microsleeps'. Microsleeps are potentially fatal dozes which last between two and 30 seconds and normally occur when people are tired but trying to stay awake. The advertising underpins the Department's message that people should plan their journeys with time added for regular breaks.

David Jamieson, Road Safety Minister said: "This research demonstrates the problem and extent of driving tired. Our campaign aims to highlight how dangerous it is, so that people realise the importance of planning their journeys and taking regular breaks. We're all guilty of wanting to get to places as quickly as possible but a short break can make all the difference."

To avoid the dangers of driving tired, the DfT recommends:

On long journeys, plan your trip to include a 15-minute break every two hours

Stopping in a safe place - not the hard shoulder of the motorway - and drinking two cups of coffee or a high caffeine drink, followed by a 15 minute nap - while the caffeine kicks in - is an effective way of combating tiredness. It will make very little difference to your journey time

Don't start your journey tired. Be aware of the risks if you get up unusually early to start your trip, or have a long drive back at the end of your holiday

If you're feeling sleepy, opening the window for cold air or turning up the radio are of very limited benefit and sufficient only while trying to find a safe place for a break

The DfT spends approximately £1m per year on 'Think! Don't Drive Tired' messages.

This includes:

Regular advertising campaigns, posters in motorway service areas, truck back messages and advisory leaflets

Signs at key locations and variable message signs warning drivers of the dangers of falling asleep at the wheel

The research for this campaign was conducted by the Loughborough University Sleep Research Centre and is available in full at the DfT website.

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More information available in On The Road, Commuting, Vehicle Hire