Tired driving a far bigger problem than speeding

Is it a result of Government policy?

Tired driving causes 17 per cent of deaths and serious injuries whilst drivers breaking the speed limit cause only around three to four per cent, according to official Government research -- see below.

The ABD has questioned whether the two could be related. ABD road safety spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie says, "The Government has in recent years targeted all its efforts to stop drivers setting their speeds at a safe level for the road conditions by ratcheting down limits and enforcing them in a draconian fashion. As a result many drivers are driving in a 'switched out' fashion, becoming 'cruise missiles' as they crawl along at an unnaturally slow speed. Their journeys take far longer and concentration wanders while blindly following the car in front."

McArthur-Christie continues, "The sort of driving now being encouraged is obviously far more likely to induce sleepiness than driving naturally whilst continually adjusting speed for the road conditions and perceived hazards. This is emphasised by the DfT's figures which show 32 per cent of sleep-related crashes caused by goods vehicles. This is much a much higher proportion than the 67 per cent caused by cars when the relative numbers on the road are taken into account yet goods vehicles are fitted with tachographs to prevent extended driving hours. The ABD questions whether the problem could be caused because they are electronically governed to 56 mph".

ABD Chairman Brian Gregory says,: "Some serious research is urgently needed into the effects of the DfT's speed policies. As there is much evidence that the three to four per cent of fatal and serious injury crashes that occur above the speed limit are caused by drunk/drugged drivers or those in stolen cars, it would seem that the 'one trick pony' of recent years is a futile way of attempting to reduce casualties anyway as the sober, legal driver crashing above the speed limit is a very rare animal.

"Perhaps now the DfT will recognise the negative impacts of their 'dumbing down' of driving standards in the UK".

The ABD is responding to Government research on selected motorways and trunk roads which shows that:

17% of road crashes resulting in injury or death were sleep related;

One quarter of all road crashes that caused death or serious injury were sleep related;

85 per cent of drivers causing sleep related crashes were men;

67 per cent of sleep related crashes were caused by car drivers and 32 per cent were caused by drivers of goods vehicles;

While road crashes occur mostly on Fridays, these sleep related crashes occurred least on Fridays and mostly on Mondays.

The findings coincide with a new phase of Department for Transport (DfT) radio advertising alerting drivers to the dangers of 'microsleeps'. Microsleeps are potentially fatal dozes which last between two and 30 seconds and normally occur when people are tired but trying to stay awake. The advertising underpins the Department's message that people should plan their journeys with time added for regular breaks.

David Jamieson, Road Safety Minister said:

"This research demonstrates the problem and extent of driving tired. Our campaign aims to highlight how dangerous it is, so that people realise the importance of planning their journeys and taking regular breaks. We're all guilty of wanting to get to places as quickly as possible but a short break can make all the difference."

To avoid the dangers of driving tired, the DfT recommends:

On long journeys, plan your trip to include a 15-minute break every two hours;

Stopping in a safe place (not the hard shoulder of the motorway) and drinking two cups of coffee or a high caffeine drink, followed by a 15 minute nap (while the caffeine kicks in) is an effective way of combating tiredness. It will make very little difference to your journey time;

Don't start your journey tired. Be aware of the risks if you get up unusually early to start your trip, or have a long drive back at the end of your holiday;

If you're feeling sleepy, opening the window for cold air or turning up the radio are of very limited benefit and sufficient only while trying to find a safe place for a break.

The DfT spends approximately £1m per year on 'Think! Don't Drive Tired messages. This includes:

Advice and guidance encouraging people not to start a journey tired, to take a break in a safe place (not on the hard shoulder) and drink two cups of coffee or a high-caffeine drink, followed by a 15-minute nap (while the caffeine kicks in) to help combat tiredness.

Regular advertising campaigns, posters in motorway service areas, truck back messages and advisory leaflets.

Signs at key locations and variable message signs warning drivers of the dangers of falling asleep at the wheel.

Making links with private sector companies to work in partnership with the DfT to communicate our driver tiredness road safety messages.

More here.

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