Feeling tired? Take a break
Throughout the Young Driver of the Year campaign, three professional drivers will take turns in the driver’s seat to offer specialist advice on subjects Grampian Police consider to be major contributors to road traffic collisions. This week, Sergeant Neil Morrison highlights the importance of taking a break
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TIREDNESS affects everyone, but the effects can be disastrous if you’re driving. The number of collisions where tiredness is a factor could be greatly reduced if drivers stopped for breaks.
Many motorists will know what it is like when driving long distances, often at night, their eyelids become heavy.
In most cases, such journeys will be completed without incident and the drivers live to drive another day. However, in many cases, they do not.
In the UK, tiredness accounts for about one-fifth of collisions on major roads and is responsible for about 300 deaths each year.
Those most susceptible drive long distances through their work, but many young drivers, who have worked hard all day and then spend their evenings and the early hours of the morning with mates enjoying their cars and driving, are also at risk.
The important thing to remember is that your body requires sufficient rest to function properly.
If you begin to feel tired while driving you must take appropriate action – stop at a suitable safe spot and take at least 15 minutes to rest.
Fresh air and coffee will help, but make sure you wait at least quarter of an hour after drinking the coffee to allow the caffeine to take effect before continuing your journey.
Remember, tiredness kills – take a break.
