Drivers 'are complacent about tiredness'

Date: 13/8/2010

The number of people who drive when tired is "terrifying", a specialist has claimed.

Ellen Booth, Campaigns Officer at road safety charity Brake, said millions of complacent drivers are regularly getting in their cars while sleepy.

New research carried out by the organisation and Direct Line shows 74 per cent of respondents have driven while tired in the past 12 months, while nine per cent admitted they do so at least once a week.

Furthermore, many motorists are failing to follow the recommended guidelines on how to prevent fatigue - 73 per cent of those surveyed drive for longer than the government-advised two hours at a time.

Ms Booth stated people must act on warning signs of tiredness without delay.

"Thinking that we can fight off sleep, especially using unproven methods like opening the window, is a mistake that could cost your life, or someone else's," she commented.

A recent survey by Sainsbury's Car Insurance found two-thirds of motorists had driven in a potentially dangerous manner in the last month.

Posted by Sarah Bailey