Dying to get there: top 10 stupid things motorists do to stay awake at the wheel

Press Release
01/05/2003

DYING TO GET THERE
Top ten ways motorists try to stay awake at the wheel

Falling asleep at the wheel of a car is still, by far, the biggest single cause of fatal road accidents in the UK according to AWAKE, the sleep and fatigue research organisation.

Yet many motorists continue to drive whilst sleepy or tired – which leads to one in five fatal motorway accidents. Recent research by AWAKE has uncovered the often bizarre methods some motorists employ to stay awake whilst driving:

• The driver who fixed her hair in the sun roof and then shut it so that if she nodded off, she would be jerked awake again
• The driver who put drawing pins under an elastic band around his wrist
• The driver who confessed to standing up in his cab whilst driving
• The driver who said he recounts out loud his past sexual exploits, talking himself through the whole scenario from meeting to parting
• The driver who admitted to setting himself challenges such as making hot drinks while driving
• The driver who, whenever he feels tired, shakes his head violently from side to side
• The driver who sucks lemons
• Driving without shoes
• Driving faster
• Deliberately making yourself uncomfortable by moving the seat to an awkward position

According to AWAKE, none of these methods, not surprisingly, is a safe or effective way of dealing with driver fatigue. The Department for Transport has advised that if drivers are to stay awake they should:

• Try to get a good night’s sleep before starting a long drive
• Plan the journey properly – stop for a 15 minute break every two hours on a long journey
• Stop in a safe place when feeling tired. If on the motorway don’t stop on the hard shoulder, take the next exit and find somewhere to park, or stop at the next motorway service area
• Drink a cup or two of strong coffee, or an energy drink containing caffeine
• Caffeine takes about 20 minutes to take effect, so try and have a short nap or no more than 15-20 minutes. Much more than this and you might wake up feeling groggy.

NOTE TO EDITORS

AWAKE is a British research consultancy linked to the world-renowned Loughborough Sleep Research Centre, which for 20 years has worked with a range of clients including the Freight Transport Association, the police, the Department for Transport as well as numerous blue chip private sector companies. As part of their work AWAKE undertakes risk assessments to determine the extent to which fatigue plays a part in a company’s accidents as well as providing training for commercial drivers and others involved in safety critical work.

For further media information call AWAKE on (0)20 7462 7660.