Tired Drivers as Dangerous as Drunks
Written by TonyAround 300 people a year, in the UK, are losing their lives as a result of fatigued drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
Being tired adversely affects driver performance as much as being drunk. Several studies, conducted by road safety experts, have confirmed that inadequate rest, driving for too long and driving at times when you would normally be asleep can all result in a degradation of driver performance which is similar to that caused by alcohol in the blood stream.
Those who drive for a living, including truck drivers and delivery drivers, are at the highest risk of being involved in fatigue related accidents. Around 4 in 10 tiredness related accidents involve a commercial vehicle. But people involved in other demanding roles, such as doctors who work long shifts and business people returning from overseas meetings, are also high on the tiredness risk list.
It is recommended that, if you are feeling even slightly fatigued, you should stop for a 15 minute break. Drink an energy drink or a couple of cups of coffee and then take a cat knap for no more than 15 minutes. When you wake the caffeine will have begun to take effect. Don’t snooze for any longer as you will enter a different sleep phase.
If returning from a business trip, maybe flying into Heathrow in the early hours, it is advisable to take a room at a Heathrow Hotel and rest properly before driving.
Always remember that safety is more important than sticking to a schedule.
References:
Driver Tiredness Advice from Brake, the Road Safety Charity
