If you fall asleep at the wheel you risk killing yourself, your passengers and other innocent victims.
An estimated 300 people a year are killed where a driver has fallen asleep at the wheel.
However, you do not fall asleep suddenly without any warning.
Below are just some of the signs that you are at risk of falling asleep at the wheel and need a rest:
To avoid driving tired please read the tips below:
Before you start your journey:
- Plan your journey to include a 15 minute break every two hours of driving
- Have a good night's sleep before setting out on a long journey
- Avoid making long trips between midnight- 6am and 2-4pm when natural alertness is low
- Even a small amount of alcohol, some medicines and drugs can make you drowsy and you’re in danger of falling asleep at the wheel.
When you are on your journey:
- Take a 15 minute break every two hours of driving
- If you start to feel sleepy find a safe place to stop (not the hard shoulder of a motorway) as soon as possible
- Drinking 2 cups of coffee or other high caffeine drink and having a rest to allow time for the caffeine to kick in are effective methods of combating sleepiness
- Share the driving if possible.
- Don't wait for a road accident to happen - tiredness can kill. For further information click here