Tailored breakdown cover to suit your needs
Help, Safety & Advice
- Road safety
- Motoring advice
- Summer Drivetime Magazine
- Winter Drivetime Magazine
Route Planner
Stay awake
Believe the signs on the motorway - tiredness kills.
In memory of Charlie Mitchell, 20, who died on 9 May 1995
A lorry hit his moped from behind on the A1 near Cromwell in Nottinghamshire. The lorry driver had driven 600 miles in fourteen and three-quarter hours without taking breaks. He fell asleep at the wheel.
Charlie was the youngest son of Ken and Christine. His family, though supportive of one another, is devastated by their loss.
Up to one in five deaths on motorways and other monotonous roads are caused by tired drivers. Some of us push ourselves to the point where we actually fall asleep while driving. In a shocking survey by Brake in 1998, two thirds of drivers admitted falling asleep at the wheel. Take no chances and always...
Get rested
Never consider a long drive if tired - always get a good night's sleep the night before.
Avoid early morning driving
Research shows that you are most likely to fall asleep at the wheel between 2am and 6am. It is also common to feel sleepy in the early afternoon.
Take breaks
Make sure you stop every two hours for at least 15 minutes. If you feel sleepy when you stop, have at least a 10-minute snooze. Carry an alarm clock to wake you up. Ensure you feel fully awake before setting off. If not, don't drive.
Spot sleepiness
There are some obvious signs - heavy eyelids, nodding head, waves of tiredness and not being able to concentrate. Stop immediately somewhere safe and take a break. Never push yourself until you experience these symptoms. Sleep follows more quickly than you think.
