Fatigue and tiredness behind the wheel is one of the biggest killers on our roads. And while it's tricky to calculate the exact number of sleep or fatigue-related accidents, research highlighted by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) shows that driver fatigue may be a contributory factor in up to 20% of road accidents, and up to one quarter of fatal and serious accidents.
It's not just a UK problem. Globally, approximately 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes, and road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years, according to The World Health Organization.
While some accidents are not preventable, the true tragedy is the number of lives lost every year as a result of crashes which could have been avoided.
Tiredness at the wheel, or driving fatigue, is one such example. Most people are fairly confident in their driving abilities. It’s for that reason a lot of us will take to the roads, even when we really aren’t awake enough to properly focus.
In this guide we’re going to look at driving fatigue in detail, highlighting the causes as well as the preventative measures you can take to drastically reduce your chances of having an accident while tired.
Level of Education: Continuing vocational education and training
Lead Organisation: Hendy Car&Van Store
