The majority of professional drivers in a poll admitted that they’ve driven while feeling ‘tired’ in the past’.
Four in five fleet drivers, including HGV drivers, delivery drivers and other professional drivers, admitted that they’ve driven while tired despite almost all of them being aware of how dangerous that can be.
Driving while tired can lead to slower reaction times, reduced focus and increase the risk of incidents occurring on the road.
Tiredness While Driving – How Serious Is It?
Anyone who’s ever done any long-distance driving will understand the temptation to plough onwards even as tiredness hits.
Making inroads seems like the logical thing to do but the reality is that decision making is severely hampered as we tire.
It’s why there are legally mandated breaks and maximum driving times for fleet drivers, to protect them and to protect other road users.
Time pressures are always a factor for fleets, but fleet owners are well aware of their safety responsibilities, which is why these figures are shocking.
Because it’s evidence that drivers still feel that they need to take unnecessary risks to ensure that they achieve their objectives, despite their legal obligations.
Almost of half of the drivers surveyed said that they felt under pressure because of urgent deliveries or urgent meetings, with 38% saying tight deadlines played a part.
Managing fatigue isn’t a simple process, though, and there is a tendency for many to reach for quick fixes such as coffee or energy drinks on the go to keep moving.
Many drivers opt for distractions, too, with 38% opening the window for fresh air to keep them awake, 29% listening to music and 27% eating snacks to give them an energy boost.
The reality, though, is that fatigue remains one of the largest contributing factors towards road traffic incidents in the UK.
Take A Break, Improve Road Safety
It’s prompted road safety campaigners to remind drivers of the need to take regular breaks with driving to minimise fatigue and stay well rested to be able to concentrate while on the road.
Given the recent stories about the pressures facing authorities with the rise in distracted driving and the overall rise in the number of road traffic incidents in the last year, driving tired is another reason for concern.
The issue is that while fleets can do their best to ensure drivers take their breaks when they’re supposed to and don’t exceed their driving hours, there’s nothing stopping private drivers from ignoring the same advice.
And unfortunately, when someone drives while fatigued, they don’t only put themselves at risk, they put all of the road users they share the road with at risk as well.
Do you think more needs to be done to prevent people driving while tired? Should specific laws be introduced to ensure non-fleet drivers take the same breaks that fleet drivers do? Let us know…
