Winter driving in rain, sleet, ice and snow - it's enough to make us weep. In fact, winter driving makes us weep more than usual, because of the extra demands on our eyes and concentration when driving in poor conditions.

It's a good idea to take breaks when we feel tired at any time of the year, but especially during winter weather. Typically, visibility is poorer, we can't see how traffic is moving as far ahead and braking distances need to be judged. All this, and perhaps a car full of passengers, adds to the general fatigue of winter driving.
In Green Flag's Fit to Drive Report, 46 per cent of motorists questioned admitted to having driven when tired, with an alarming six per cent revealing they had actually fallen asleep at the wheel at least once within the past 12 months.

Nigel Charlesworth from Green Flag says: "Research shows that drivers cannot force themselves to stay awake while driving if they are tired. If you carry on driving you could eventually nod off with tragic consequences."

Green Flag offers the following advice to help drivers stay alert on winter roads.

Before setting off:

• Recognise the signs of tiredness - heavy eyelids, yawning, waves of drowsiness and an inability to concentrate
• Do not exceed the legal alcohol limit the night before (around ten per cent of positive breath tests taken last year were taken between 6am and lunchtime)
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist that any medication you are taking will not cause drowsiness
• Never set off if you feel tired
• Take particular care if you have to drive between 2am and 6am or in the early afternoon. It is common to feel tired at these times

Take breaks:

• Stop for a 15-minute break every two hours
• Have a reviving ten-minute nap
• Have a cup of tea or coffee (although this is only a temporary solution)
• Walk about for five minutes and get some fresh air

Although there are measures that may help alleviate drowsiness in the short term such as turning the radio on/up, winding down the window and sitting upright, these are not recommended, as the only solution to tiredness is sleep. Get a good night's sleep before a long journey; remember even short distances can take a long time to travel in winter weather. If you feel too tired to drive do not make the journey. Fatigue could kill you or someone else.

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