Beware the dangers of nodding off at the wheel
21 September
The latest official figures show that falling asleep while driving could be a factor in one in ten of all road accidents.
Even worse, it’s believed to cause up to 20% of collisions on motorways.
More than ever, the figures show why we need safety limits for the amount of time drivers spend at the wheel. That’s why there are strict European rules regulating the hours that HGV drivers work.
In fact, all drivers on company business, from salesmen to delivery drivers, should take care over their driving hours. And employers are governed by health and safety laws, the ‘duty of care’ responsibilities and even the conditions of their insurance which can restrict the time staff can spend at the wheel each day.
Above all these rather vague and complex rules and regulations, there’s a simple principle for anyone driving or supervising drivers on company business. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents explains: “Operators have clear duties under both health and safety law and road traffic law to ensure that they manage their road operations in a way that minimizes risk to their employees and to everyone else using the road."
“This means that, in addition to many other things, they must ensure that their drivers are not at risk of falling asleep at the wheel or driving when tiredness impairs their driving ability.”
In other words, it’s simple: no employee, from the driver of an artic to a director in his executive saloon, should be required to drive when they’re tired.
How many of us remember that the Highway Code recommends you should take a 15-minute break every two hours?