A THINK! campaign to combat driving fatigue is being aimed at business drivers.
One in five of all crashes on major roads are caused by tired drivers.
Government research confirmed people who drive for work are an at risk group, but failed to recognise themselves at risk.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “We all want to finish our journeys as quickly as possible but being tired at the wheel is a proven killer we cannot ignore.
“People who drive for work are particularly at risk but there are simple steps we can all take to make our journeys safer. Plan regular stops into a long trip and if you find yourself yawning pull over and take a break – this could make the difference between life and death.”
A You Gov poll of 1,500 motorists found only one in five (22%) always plan breaks in their car journeys, while more than a quarter (26%) have driven for up to or more than four hours without a break.
THINK! campaign’s advice is straightforward:
- Don’t start a long trip if you’re already tired.
- Plan your journey to include a 15-minute break every two hours.
- If you feel drowsy find a safe place to stop (not the hard shoulder).
- As an emergency measure drink two cups of coffee or a high-caffeine drink and have a rest for 10-15 minutes to allow time for the caffeine to kick in.
Further information
- For more on driver tiredness, go to our Law & Tax section for The law and tiredness at the wheel
New government THINK! campaign on tiredness kills