Dangers of Driving when Tired

30 July 2010

 Driver sleepiness is thought to be responsible for 300 road deaths a year in the UK. The Department for Transport also estimates that it causes up to 20% of accidents on major roads.

Holidaymakers and company drivers are particularly at risk and need to get some rest before making long journeys.

Drivers setting off in the early hours and on monotonous roads are at high risk of microsleeps. These short sleeps last only 2 to 30 seconds. Many people do not realise they have experienced them, but they are all the time it takes to have a crash. Symptoms to look out for are difficulty keeping eyes open, head nodding and the vehicle drifting in the lane.

More about sleep disorders and driving when tired can be found here.