Driving Tired

By Author: Joe Wareham
Total Articles: 9
Comment this article

1 in 8 drivers has had that dreaded ‘head-nod’ moment at the wheel in the past year, a new survey has revealed.

The survey by Brake, a driving safety charity, also showed that over 25% of drivers have started a journey whilst feeling tired and nearly a third admitted that they continued the journey in spite of their drowsiness.

What’s the result? Well, being sleep-deprived is hugely damaging for coordination, speed and judgement. Not to mention the fact that, if you need to react whilst you’re taking a nano-nap or have your eyes closed, you simply won’t notice the danger at all.

For drivers who survive accidents caused by their sleepiness, the consequences are dire – drowsiness is considered an aggravating factor in an accident, and driving in spite of it is rightly considered as an unnecessary risk, one of the most serious motoring solicitors. It’s clear that there are signs of being sleepy quite some time before a driver actually falls asleep, and not acting upon those signs by stopping and resting is simply ...
... irresponsible. As such, the Crown Prosecution Service will always try to convict for the offence of dangerous rather than careless driving whenever possible in these cases, leading to much harsher sentences if convicted than carelessness. A revoked license and possibly a jail term will be just some of the prizes you’ll pick up for your troubles.

The more important fact, however, is that around 1,500 people die every year because drivers fall asleep behind the wheel. Even if the legal consequences weren’t enough to put you off, it’s not worth putting your life and those of others in danger. Rest up, and live to drive another day.