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As
part of its winter driving campaign RoadSafe reminds drivers that
falling asleep at the wheel accounts for up to 20 per cent of crashes on
motorways or similar roads, and as many as one in 10 of all crashes on
Britain's roads.
Government research shows that:
-
an
estimated 300 people a year are killed where a driver has fallen
asleep at the wheel;
-
if
you fall asleep at the wheel you are 50 per cent more likely to die
or suffer serious injury because a sleeping driver does not react
before a crash;
-
the
greatest risk of falling asleep at the wheel is between midnight-6am
and 2pm-4pm;
-
people
who drive as part of their job are more at risk with about 40 per
cent of sleep related crashes being work-related as they involve
commercial vehicles;
-
alcohol
and drugs (including some medicines) can make you more tired without
you realising it.
In
addition, the sleep unit at Loughborough University, which won a Prince
Michael Road Safety Award in 2003, say that men aged below 30 are more
likely to fall asleep at the wheel, and seem to be at a higher risk
because they use the roads more at night. They are also more likely to
press on with a journey when tired.
Their findings include:
-
driving
between midnight and 6am presents a particular risk for
sleep-related crashes as this is when your 'body clock' is in a
natural trough;
-
all
sleepy drivers are aware of their tiredness, particularly when they
reach the stage of 'fighting sleep' (doing things to keep themselves
awake, such as winding down the window);
-
opening
the window for cold air or turning up the radio are of very limited
benefit and sufficient only to find a safe place for a break.
Further
information:
http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/drivertiredness01.htm
http://www.iam.org.uk/Pressroom/Fact_Sheets/pdf/fac15001.pdf
Source:
RoadSafe
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