DRIVERS need to be properly rested before setting off on long journeys, said UK breakdown and road safety organization GEM Motoring Assist. The group issued the warning in time for summer, a season during which families make plans for road trips several hundred kilometers’ long.
According to GEM, tired drivers are at a higher risk of figuring in a collision because they are likely to be less aware of what is happening around them. Their ability to react is compromised if a risky situation develops; fatigue can be a factor in up to 20% of all road collisions, and up to 25% of fatal and serious crashes in the UK.
“A fatigue-related crash is around 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury simply because a driver who has fallen asleep at the wheel will be unable to reduce speed or change direction to avoid a collision. The consequences can be devastating,” said GEM road safety officer Neil Worth.
He added that falling asleep at the wheel, a consequence of fatigue, can easily be avoided should a driver heed the “many warning signs” the body issues before he or she actually nods off.
“No one simply falls asleep without passing through various recognizable stages of tiredness and distraction,” Worth said.
“If you’re that tired, you must stop and rest properly,” he stressed.
In line with this, GEM offers five simple tips so drivers can reduce the risk of a fatigue-related collision:
- Get a good night’s sleep before setting out on a long journey.
- Don’t press on into the night. Avoid driving at times when you would usually be asleep.
- Avoid heavy meals on journeys, especially at lunchtime, as these can increase sleepiness in the afternoon.
- On long journeys, take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours, or 150 kilometers. Get out of the car, do some exercise, stretch or walk. If necessary, have a caffeine drink or two to boost your alertness.
- You’ll know when fatigue is affecting you. It doesn’t just take you by surprise. So resist the urge to press on, and take a proper break.
GEM Motoring Assist, established in 1932, is an independent driver-based road safety association.
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