An estimated 20% of all road accidents are caused by tiredness each year. Commercial vehicle drivers are at particular risk, with about one in four tiredness related crashes involving somebody at the wheel of such a vehicle.
Drivers of lorries, trucks and vans, in particular, are urged to ensure that they have had an adequate amount of rest and that they feel refreshed before setting off on a journey.
John Charles, a representative of Fleet News, said, ‘being fatigued significantly raises the risk of a collision. It makes van drivers less alert to what is happening on the road and less able to react quickly and safely if a dangerous situation arises’.
According to the official guidelines, released by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), commercial vehicle drivers should be on the road for a maximum of 10 hours per day. It is strongly advised that they take a number of breaks within this period. They should organize their trip in advance so that they are fully aware of the places that they can stop.
Mr Charles said, ‘planning journeys more diligently, identifying places where drivers know they can stop safely to rest if they become fatigued and being aware of the body’s biological clock or circadian rhythms’ are all good ideas.
There are a number of contributing factors which can all lead to a driver falling asleep behind the wheel. There is a higher likelihood of this situation occurring at certain times of the day. The most dangerous periods are from midnight to six o clock in the morning and from two o clock to four o clock in the afternoon. It is during this time that the body clock takes a ‘dip’.
Perhaps one of the most obvious causes of driver tiredness is a lack of sleep. People may experience a lack of sleep for any number of reasons. Among these are disturbed sleep, perhaps caused by a baby or domestic problems, or sleep disorders such as insomnia. Insufficient rest periods can also cause a driver to feel tired. It is often best for people suffering from a lack of sleep to be checked at the doctors before driving anywhere.
Medication can also cause a person to feel drowsy. Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs can affect an individuals ability to drive. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist of the effects that drugs can have on your driving.
A factor which many people may not consider when driving is that vehicles today are far quieter than they were in years past. The driver may experience such a smooth ride that it is easy to day dream or fall asleep. Commercial vehicle drivers are reminded of the necessity of being alert and refreshed at the start of a journey. If they feel that their mind is wandering it is best to pull over for a rest.
According to research, drivers are usually aware when they are becoming sleepy. They may experience difficulty concentrating, yawning, heavy eyelids, rolling of eyes and neck muscles relaxing. They are advised against attempts to battle their way through the symptoms of tiredness. It is best to pull over at the first possible opportunity.
Alastair Peoples, acting chief executive at VOSA, said, ‘research shows that up to one in six serious crashes are caused by drivers falling asleep and a significant number of crashes is caused by lack of attention which is also often due to sleepiness’.
A sleepy driver poses considerable danger to other road users. Any Commercial Vehicle Insurance policy is unlikely to cover accidents caused by tiredness.