UK: Asleep at the wheel - the hidden danger on British roads

• Thousands of motorists at risk of serious injury

With driver sleepiness estimated to be a factor in up to 20,000 accidents on UK roads last year¹, new research reveals a growing number of UK drivers putting their own, and other road users’ lives at risk by driving further and longer whilst tired.

In the lead-up to bank holiday season, the RAC ‘Sleepy Heads’ report revealed that British motorists are pushing themselves to the limit by driving an average of 350 miles in a single journey without taking a break, as well as ignoring the tell-tale warning signs of driver sleepiness.

The ‘Sleepy Heads’ research of 1,000 motorists reveals that:

• Nearly half of drivers (46%) admit to taking to the wheel whilst feeling drowsy
• Over one third of drivers (34%) have been close to falling asleep at the wheel
• One in 10 (11%) have driven over 500 miles in a single journey without taking a break, with the biggest risk takers being men aged 35-64 years old
• One in five drivers (20%) are completely unaware there are some simple steps that they can take to stay alert

Driver fatigue is often overlooked by motorists, with a third (30%) of Brits now prepared to drive greater distances and one in 10 (11%) clocking up an extra 200 miles per journey compared to two years ago. Now RAC is campaigning for drivers to plan ahead, pay more attention to the signs of driver sleepiness and to take regular breaks on long journeys.

But many motorists place themselves at greater risk by trusting in ‘motoring myths’ to keep them awake. Apart from the company of having a passenger in the car, nearly three quarters of UK drivers (69%) think the best way to stay awake is to wind the window down and over one in three (35%) just turn up the stereo, unaware these quick fix solutions offer limited, if any benefit to fighting drowsiness.

Robin Cummins, RAC road safety consultant, said: “Cars are more comfortable than ever and long journeys can lull motorists into a false sense of security. The dangers of drink driving and speeding are well documented, but with driver sleepiness there’s still some way to go, especially since drivers are using ineffective methods to prevent falling asleep at the wheel. It’s crucial that we take the time to plan breaks and recognise when our bodies need a rest, to ensure we are capable of staying alert and able to concentrate to ultimately protect both our own, and other people’s safety.”

Jim Horne, director of Loughborough University’s sleep research centre, added: “Motorists who ignore the obvious signs of tiredness and push themselves to the limit are taking serious risks. They don’t seem to realise that crashes involving falling asleep at the wheel are more likely to be fatal because of the absence of braking and greater speed at impact.

“Our studies have shown that drivers are particularly vulnerable in the small hours of the morning when the body clock is at its lowest, and especially on dull monotonous roads. There is also a ‘dip’ in the mid-afternoon, when the risk of these crashes is also higher. Motorists’ increasing tendency to push themselves to the limit, because of work pressures, is again very worrying, and in this respect, employers should bear a greater responsibility in ensuring the safety of their staff.”

To help UK drivers to avoid the perils of driver fatigue, RAC recommends the following advice for staying awake:

1. Plan your journey to include a 15-minute break every two hours of driving.
2. If you start to feel sleepy find a safe place to stop (not the hard shoulder of the motorway) as soon as possible.
3. Drink 2 cups of coffee or other high caffeine drink and have a 10-15 minute rest to allow time for the caffeine to kick in.
4. Have a good night's sleep before setting out on a long journey.
5. Although it might seem like a good way to beat the traffic, avoid making long trips between midnight-6am and 2-4pm when natural alertness is low.
6. Share the driving if possible.

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RAC Press office contact
Chris Lauwerys or James Ruane at Lexis PR on 0207 908 6465 or 0207 908 6474
Liz Kennett or Paul Hodgson at RAC Press Office on 01603 688263 or 0208 917 2541

Notes to editors

¹Estimate derived from accident figures taken from Department for Transport, Transport Statistics Road Safety report and information contained in DfT Road Safety Research Report No 21 on Driver Sleepiness.

RAC commissioned ICM to conduct research amongst 1,000 male and female drivers aged 18–65+ across the UK between 15 March to 16 March 2006

About RAC

• With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organizations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists’ needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI.
• Aviva bought RAC last year. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14 per cent.
• RAC is an official partner of the DfT’s Think! Driver tiredness campaign.
• THINK! is designed to save lives and campaigns all year round to get people to think more about road safety. As part of the Government's strategy, its aim is to cut the number of deaths and serious injuries from road accidents by 40% by 2010.