Driving when you're tired can kill

Fatigue causes hundreds of collisions each year and are roughly 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury.

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  • Higher risk of collisions

  • Slower reaction times

  • Reduced alertness

  • Serious injuries and death

The dangers of driver fatigue

  • There’s a much higher chance of a high-impact collision
  • This can lead to serious injuries – for you and other road users
  • Driving tired causes slower reaction times
  • It also reduces concentration and alertness

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Key information

What you need to know

  • Fatigue was identified as a contributory factor in 17% of all fatal road collisions in Scotland
  • It impairs performance, increases reaction times and reduces attention
  • Very little sleep can affect your driving in the same way as having a drink
  • Drinking coffee or having a walk only acts as a short-term measure
  • To avoid putting lives at risk, you should safely pull over and have a rest

What causes tiredness?

A simple lack of sleep is usually the main problem, but there are other reasons you can become sleepy while driving:

  • Unusual sleep patterns from shift working
  • Natural body clock dips at certain times, for example:
    • early afternoon following on from lunch (2pm-4pm)
    • early morning for overnight workers (2am-6am)
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Medicines that cause drowsiness
  • Driving a long distance after a full day’s work

Who's most at risk?

Things like time constraints and bad weather mean too many people still drive when they’re tired, but some people are at a higher risk of falling asleep when driving. For example, if you:

  • Drive for work daily
  • Drive for long periods on dual carriageways and motorways
  • Regularly do shift work
  • Suffer from any sleep-related disorders

Tips to avoid driving tired

If you already feel tired, then don’t start your journey. When you do set off, here are a few simple things to keep in mind:

  • Plan rest breaks throughout your journey (15-20 minutes every two hours)
  • Always respond to the signs of being tired
  • Don’t just put down the window or turn up your music – these methods only work for a short time
  • Don’t rely on vehicle technology to keep you awake – it doesn’t work
  • Stop in a safe place, put your seat back, and have a nap

Medical conditions

If you have a sleep-related condition that could affect your driving, you need to tell the DVLA. If you don’t, it could lead to a large fine – and even prosecution if you’re in a collision.

Remember, some medicines for coughs, flu and hayfever can cause drowsiness too.

Other disorders can also make you drowsy. These include:

  • Sleep disorders
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Insomnia
  • Narcolepsy

Danger signs

  • Yawning

  • Heavy eyelids

  • Head nodding (‘microsleep’)

  • Eyes rolling

  • Unable to concentrate

Driver fatigue related content:

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