Monday 4th February 2002

Sleep Kills

Drowsy drivers are a huge threat to road safety - but where are the warnings?

---

[PipSqueak111]

People are campaigning for more rest areas, but I've noticed a problem with the existing ones. Most service stations I've seen recently have restricted the length of stay in their car parks to 2 hours. So what can you do if you want to take a nap, or a longer rest inside in the warm to revive yourself before continuing your journey?

[Steve Harrison]

We've just got to make "sleeping and driving" as socially unacceptable as "drinking and driving"

[tvradict]

Recently went down to Milton Keynes, on my way back I stopped at the Service Station at Scotch Corner (A1/A66) and found a Leaflet from the RAC saying if you feel tired you should stop for a sleep. But this sleep should be no longer than 15 minutes. This leaflet then proceeded to try and sell the RAC's new drink, RAC 124 which contains exactly 124mg of Caffine to keep you awake while driving!!!
Now, I ask you! What are they more interested in?
Keeping drivers safe on the road by getting them to sleep?
Or the sales figures of their latest money making endeavor!?!

[adrianr]

Perhaps we can all hope for lower insurance premiums for our sports cars as we're less likely to fall asleep driving them then?

If only!
AdrianR

[hertsbiker]

quote:
We've just got to make "sleeping and driving" as socially unacceptable as "drinking and driving"

This is an interesting point Steve.

What happens if your firm decides it wants you on site, NNN miles from home.

Can you refuse to drive it, because you are tired? or will you get the sack?

Being coerced into an illegal act would be illegal, no? opens up a whole can of worms.

[JMGS4]

Court cases against dispatchers in trucking companies for forcing truckers to drive outside and longer than their legal hours (dispatchers+companies fined heavily) are already the norm in Germany... thank goodness....

[marki]

As Ted said a while back , and i quote
"Tired eyes need pork pies"

[M-Five]

quote:Being coerced into an illegal act would be illegal, no? opens up a whole can of worms.

Yes it is, and if you look at the conviction codes on driving licenses then note the last digit relates to:
- SP30 is for exceeding the speed posted limit
- SP32 is for Aiding, Abetting, Counselling or Procuring
- SP34 is for Causing or Permitting
- SP36 is for Inciting

Same goes for drink driving, dangerous driving, driving with due care, etc, etc, etc . . .

see endorsements

>> Edited by M-Five on Wednesday 6th February 15:13