Friday 16th November 2007

Tired Driving Warning

Research Finds Tired Drivers Can Be As Dangerous As Drunk Drivers

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Tired drivers can be as dangerous as drunk drivers, according to new research.

An exclusive test carried out by What Car? in simulators at the Transport Research Laboratory compared the ability of a tired driver with a drunk driver.

Two drivers were put through a series of tests.

Driver 1 was not allowed to sleep until 3am and Driver 2 consumed 12 units of alcohol over the course of a night.

They were both then asked to negotiate a similar route that included motorways and A-roads.

When 25% over the legal limit, the drunk driver's ability to hold a steady distance from a car in front dropped by 25%, while his ability to keep to the centre of a lane dropped 23%.

At 2am, the sleep-deprived driver was 39% less able to maintain a steady distance from a car in front, and his capacity to drive within a lane suffered by 37%.

The drink driver did prove to be the worse driver overall. 

When twice over the legal limit he was 49% worse at maintaining a steady distance and 42%worse at keeping to his lane.

Researchers also found that 40% of drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel.

Steve Fowler, What Car? group editor, said: ‘It’s not surprising to learn that drink seriously affects driving ability, but it is worrying to discover that a sober person’s driving ability can suffer more when they are tired.

‘Our message to drivers is simple: don't drink and drive and don’t drive tired. If you are feeling drowsy, pull over in a safe location, lock the doors and have a nap – better to arrive late than not at all.'

[NiallOswald]

Thank goodness for people proving the bleeding obvious...

[havoc]

Oh lord, tell us something we don't know.

5th Gear did this a few years back (before they went right downhill), with Tiff being the guineapig. Think that probably had a wider audience than What Car...

[Hammerwerfer]

I drive much better with a bit of alcohol in the system than I do when I am tired.

Proven it to myself on a few occasions...

Hard to measure tiredness, but I can count beers.

[martaay]

Surely to be a fair test they should have used the same driver and compared over the three scenarios? by using different drivers they dont account for the differing skill of driver a to driver b to c etc

[Mr Will]

Hammerwerfer said:

I drive much better with a bit of alcohol in the system than I do when I am tired.

Proven it to myself on a few occasions...

Hard to measure tiredness, but I can count beers.

Plus as you drive you will get more tired, whereas hopefully you won't still be drinking while you are behind the wheel.

[Hammerwerfer]

Mr Will said:

Plus as you drive you will get more tired, whereas hopefully you won't still be drinking while you are behind the wheel.

The days of drinking whilst driving are gone but not forgotten.

I recall driving to Florida for spring break in 1974 or so. Met a carload of tarts at a petrol station, of which only one had a licence and she was getting tired. They asked if one of us would drive them the rest of the way to Florida, I think we were in South Carolina at the time. The older tart told the young one to massage my back while I drove, and make sure I always had a full beer in my hand.

Didn't get to sample their wares though...

[Bing o]

Mr Will said:

Hammerwerfer said:

I drive much better with a bit of alcohol in the system than I do when I am tired.

Proven it to myself on a few occasions...

Hard to measure tiredness, but I can count beers.

Plus as you drive you will get more tired, whereas hopefully you won't still be drinking while you are behind the wheel.

And if you know you're over the limit, you tend to drive like a saint to avoid getting pulled - have met a few coppers who have pulled people over for driving too well (ie 30 in a 30 at 2am) and found them to be over the limit!!

[cowellsj]

Mr Will said:

Hammerwerfer said:

I drive much better with a bit of alcohol in the system than I do when I am tired.

Proven it to myself on a few occasions...

Hard to measure tiredness, but I can count beers.

Plus as you drive you will get more tired, whereas hopefully you won't still be drinking while you are behind the wheel.

I find that if i have a half pint and drive within a couple of hours i really notice it. My judgement and concentration suffers.

However when we have the girlfriends parents over for dinner, I can 5 or 6 pints and still feel stone cold sober....

[wab172uk]

said:

"When 25% over the legal limit, the drunk driver's ability to hold a steady distance from a car in front dropped by 25%,"

Thats rubbish. I drive after 10 pints, and I'm fine

Edited by wab172uk on Friday 16th November 13:06

[WombatinSwansea]

wab172uk said:

said:

"When 25% over the legal limit, the drunk driver's ability to hold a steady distance from a car in front dropped by 25%,"

Thats rubbish. I drive after 10 pints, and I'm fine

Edited by wab172uk on Friday 16th November 13:06

Don't think I'd be able to stand after 10 pints let alone drive.

[Scraggles]

driven after drinking 6-7 pints of beer, then 4-5 pints of sangria, was told it was some spanish fruit juice had difficulty walking straight, but when sitting in a car seat you not need to move much

Admittedly was in Saudi Arabia at the time

Tend to drive a lot round here, regularly have to stop for a 30 min doze, put on a fleece and cover myself with sleeping bag, pair of ear plugs help great as well

[Snoggledog]

Isn't this a good reason to have rest areas like you find in France? I hate to begrudge the French anything but those rest areas can be a god send.

[Hooli]

WombatinSwansea said:

wab172uk said:

said:

"When 25% over the legal limit, the drunk driver's ability to hold a steady distance from a car in front dropped by 25%,"

Thats rubbish. I drive after 10 pints, and I'm fine

Edited by wab172uk on Friday 16th November 13:06

Don't think I'd be able to stand after 10 pints let alone drive.

thats ok your allowed to sit in the car

[flattotheboards]

isnt this a bit obvious, dont drive when your knakered or have been drinking.

[glazbagun]

flattotheboards said:

isnt this a bit obvious, dont drive when your knakered or have been drinking.

My God, man- I think you've cracked it!

[Hooli]

glazbagun said:

flattotheboards said:

isnt this a bit obvious, dont drive when your knakered or have been drinking.

My God, man- I think you've cracked it!

no no NO you need a measurable limit of 'tired' which you cant exceed or how can they taxfine you for it?

[pumpkin]

If you are really tired does having a drink stimulate you or wake you up enough to be a better driver for the next 15 minutes? Just hoping.....

[On Time]

I got first hand proof of this last night, ripped the door off my car.
I knew I was too tired to drive but did it anyway.

Stupid really but I'll never do it again (unless completely necessary/emergency).

[Scraggles]

sorry to hear it happen, just glad that ur ok even if ur car is not

guess i should goto bed at 10 pm every night to get enough sleep, but often go later, seem to catch up on weekend, was supposed to go and see parents early this monring, but was mid morning...seems their pc#s hard drive can not be found by the computer, their last back up was in july

[qube_TA]

If I'm really tired and have to drive a few drinks wakes me up no end, if I start feeling tired again whilst on the road a line or two of coke soon sorts that out.