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Drivers ignore rest breaks
Page 10
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• Despite the tragedy of the Selby rail crash drivers are still not taking steps to prevent themselves falling asleep at the wheel, according to road safety organisation Brake.
Research carried out by Brake and Green Flag Motoring Assistance found only 2% of drivers followed advice given by the Department for Transport to combat tiredness—drinking a caffeinated drink and taking a 10-minute snooze. One in five drivers drive for more than the recommended two hours without a break.
The results come in a survey of 500 drivers questioned on the M1 and the M62 in Yorkshire. Brake's chief executive Mary Williams describes the findings as "shocking".
"They demonstrate drivers are ignoring the lessons of Selby," she says. "It is time everyone took responsibility for ensuring they are not tired behind the wheel, and the government took its obligations seriously to ensure it spends the necessary cash on enforcement of road safety."
The survey also found 80% of those drivers that do stop do so for reasons otter than to have some rest, usually to go to the toilet. Over half of all drivers thought opening a window helped prevent tiredness, although there is no proof this is effective.
"The findings clearly show that there is still a long way to go making driving while tired an activity that is seen as unacceptable and antisocial behaviour," says a spokesperson for Green Flag.