Driver fatigue 'a silent killer'

ONE IN seven drivers has fallen asleep while driving, according to research carried out for the Road Safety Authority.

Most drivers attempt to fight fatigue by ineffective means such as opening a window, stretching their legs or turning on the radio, the research also found.

Launching a year-long campaign on the dangers of driver fatigue, the RSA yesterday described it as a “silent killer” which may be responsible for more than 350 road deaths over the past five years.

To mark the new initiative, Topaz service stations will be handing out 20,000 free coffees to drivers on Good Friday and future bank holiday Fridays. Meanwhile, up to 1,000 gardaí will be manning road safety checkpoints over the Easter weekend.

RSA chief executive Noel Brett said scientific studies showed a motorist who drives while fatigued was as dangerous as someone driving at or above the drink driving limit.

“In a collision, you can test for alcohol or drugs or non-seatbelt wearing but you can’t test for fatigue,” he pointed out.

Mr Brett said anyone could experience fatigue while driving, but professional drivers, especially long-distance truck drivers and long-distance commuters, were particularly at risk.

The RSA survey of 800 motorists found 14 per cent of people said they had nodded off when driving, with men between 35 and 54 years most likely to fall asleep.

Half of all incidents occurred between 9pm and 6am, with one in five cars drifting out of its lane of traffic.

Of those who admitted to falling asleep, almost one in four said it had happened at least twice in the past year.

Where a driver has a “micro-sleep” for just four seconds while travelling at 100km/h, the car will move 111 metres with no control.

Mr Brett advised tired drivers to stop, take a caffeine drink, have a 15-minute nap and then a short walk.

Chief Supt Gabriel McIntyre said 1,000 members of the Garda Traffic Corps would be on duty over the Easter holiday to tackle reckless drivers speeding, taking drink or drugs or not wearing seatbelts.

“Every accident is one too many and this particular weekend we will have a lot of extra resources,” he said.