Don't Drive Tired

Over half of all drivers are expected to put their lives in danger this Christmas, that's according to Brake.

Millions of people are expected to take to the roads over the coming days to be with loved ones or on extended shopping trips.

Motorists are being urged to pull over and take a break, especially when a car journey is longer than two hours.
 
A campaign is urging all drivers to stop and rest until such time as they feel much more alert, especially when making a car journey which is longer than two hours.
 
The added pressures of Christmas, with more stress, party-going and sleep derivation, mean the strain of a long car journey can tip tiredness levels into dangerous territory and cause unnecessary perils on the road.  1 in 4 fatigue-related crashes result in death or serious injury.
 

Major findings from the research

- Over half of UK drivers (54%) admitted they drive despite feeling too tired to do so safely

- 40% of UK drivers openly admit to being close to falling asleep at the wheel with 9% admitting to actually dozing off.

- Drivers aged between 25-34 are the worst culprits with 67% openly admitting to taking to the wheel when too tired

- 42% of people will be getting less than six hours sleep a night over the Christmas period.

- 37% cited that concerns over money and worrying about Christmas, and 33% said these were keeping them awake at night

- Despite the fact 1 in 4 crashes caused by driver fatigue leads to death or serious injury; only one in ten acknowledge driving when tired as reckless behaviour.

The top ten contributors for tiredness (according to Brake) are:

- Driving in the dark/poorly lit roads

- Over-working and stress

- Tired eyes due to looking at headlights or tail-lights

- Listening to music that is too mellow and soothing

- Smoking

- A lack of caffeine for alertness

- Over eating, or driving on an empty stomach

- Screaming/annoying kids and back seat drivers

- Driving lazily (i.e. never changing lanes or varying speed)

-  Poor sleeping habits, including sleep apnoea

 Brake is calling on members of the public to play their part in making roads safer by signing Brake’s Pledge at www.brake.org.uk/pledge, to make a personal commitment to use roads safely and sustainably, and help reduce the lives lost needlessly on our roads.