Concerns have been raised over the dangers of driving when tired.

The Issue

The latest survey, jointly sponsored by Direct Line Insurance and Brake (a road safety charity) found that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of drivers who admit to driving whilst tired as compared to previous research carried out six years ago.

• Those admitting to driving whilst tired sometime during the past 12 months has increased from 46% to 74%.
• 9% of those surveyed admitted to driving whilst tired at least once a week.
• It is estimated that 20% of fatal road accidents on trunk roads are caused by drivers who are too tired to be behind the wheel. This figure has to be an estimate because it is difficult to establish that a driver was asleep at the time of an accident, so the actual figure could be significantly higher.

Whether driving for social reasons or driving for work, this represents a particularly high risk for those who are driving whilst tired and for other road users. An accident that occurs because a driver has fallen asleep tends to be a high-speed collision simply because the unaware driver makes no attempt to break.

From an employer’s point of view, it is important to educate drivers about the dangers of driving when tired and what to do about it since there are all kinds of misunderstandings and even myths about how to stay awake.

Drivers need to be aware of what to do (what works) and what not to do (what doesn’t work) if they begin to feel tired whilst driving or before setting off.

Remedies that Do Not Work

There are some actions that seem to be almost instinctive but they simply don’t help, for example:

• Opening a window. 70% of drivers have tried this but it is not effective.
• Listening to the radio, CD or tape. 54% of drivers try this but it doesn’t work either.
• Stopping and going for a short walk. 39% have tried this but any effect is very short term.
• Face washing. 29% have tried this but there is no lasting effect.

These techniques don’t work because the only real cure for tiredness is to sleep. A problem associated with all these attempts is that they may result in micro-sleeps. These are short periods of sleep that might last for a few seconds up to half a minute, after which drivers recover consciousness without realising they have been asleep. Clearly, during these short naps, drivers are completely unaware of what is happening around them and they are unable to take any defensive action.

Remedies that Do Work

Following good health and safety principles, the first aim is to eliminate the risk entirely. If this is not possible, the aim should be to reduce risk to acceptable levels.

• Consider avoiding driving all together by using trains or other forms of public transport.
• For anyone planning a road journey, there is no substitute for a good night’s sleep the night before. In fact, a driver who feels tired should not set out on the journey at all.
• For longer journeys, plan the route and timing to allow for regular breaks – typically take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours.
• Ensure those who drive for work do not exceed recommended limits on driving hours. These are legally enforced for large vehicles but they should also be encouraged for car and van drivers.
• Avoid pressures that might encourage workers to carry on driving when they are tired.
• Test for sleep apnoea. This is a condition that interferes with a person’s breathing while they are asleep and which often goes undiagnosed. However the result is daytime sleepiness and fatigue, making it much more likely that the sufferer will fall asleep when driving.

Drivers who start feeling tired during a journey are recommended to:

• Find somewhere safe to stop as soon as possible.
• Since the only really effective cure for tiredness is sleep, the best option is to find somewhere to have a good night’s sleep.
• If a full night’s sleep is not a practicable option, take a short nap for 10 to 15 minutes duration before carrying on with the journey.
• If possible, combine a short nap with a caffeinated drink, for example two cups of strong coffee. However, the effects of caffeine and a short nap don’t last long. They may help in an emergency but are not adequate for long journeys or for drivers who are still feeling the effects of tiredness.

It is important that drivers appreciate that they are in charge of a lethal weapon that has to be under tight control at all times.

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