Car Insurance News from Be Wiser

Tired Motorists Are A Hazard On The Roads

More than six million (13%) British motorists narrowly escaped adding to the thousands of fatigue related road accidents that occur each year, after admitting they’d fallen asleep while driving in the last 12 months.

Motorists who are sleepy behind the wheel are accidents waiting to happen, with 10% of motorists admitting they have felt drowsy whilst driving and a further 3% said they had been on the verge of falling asleep.

With 40% of UK motorists confessing to falling asleep at the wheel, 22% of which also admitted it had happened more than once – compared to 25% of drivers who drive while over the limit, it is apparent that drowsy drivers are a major hazard to UK roads.

Tiredness is proven to reduce the reaction, vigilance, alertness and concentration abilities needed to drive safely. Ultimately it increases your chances of having an accident.

Research has revealed that driver fatigue causes up to 20% of accidents on monotonous roads, however 39% cited a general lack of sleep and 32% blamed too few breaks on their journey.

A fifth of motorway crashes, which most commonly happen between midnight and 6am or 2pm and 4pm, are because of fatigue.

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 instead of taking a break.

Too many motorists think that driving while tired is harmless without realising that they are in charge of a lethal weapon, capable of causing a major catastrophe - Tiredness is estimated to be responsible for more than 300 deaths on the roads a year.

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