THE Road Safety Authority claims that that driver fatigue could be a factor in up to 20% of fatal road accidents. Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority said, “Those most at risk from driver fatigue are drivers who try to fight the effects of sleep when driving. Tactics such as turning up the volume on the radio and opening the window do not work. If a driver drops off for just 2 seconds while traveling at a speed of 100 km/h the car will have traveled 55 metres” he said.

“As soon as you realise you are fighting the urge to go to sleep you should stop driving. The best way to cope with this problem is to park in a safe place, drink one or two cups of coffee and then take a fifteen minute nap.”

“Caffeine takes about twenty five minutes to enter a person’s system and start working. So, by the time you wake up the caffeine should have taken effect. Following the nap stretch your legs and get some fresh air. You should now be fit to drive for about another hour. However in cases of extreme tiredness the only cure for a lack of sleep is sleep.”  Mr. Brett concluded.

• If you start to feel tired, stop driving and park the car in a safe place.

• Drink two cups of coffee. Caffeine takes between twenty and thirty minutes to enter a person’s system and take effect. 

• Take a 15 minute nap. By the time you wake up, the caffeine should have taken effect. 

• Get out of the car, stretch your legs and get some fresh air. You should now be fit to drive for another hour or so. 

• In cases of extreme tiredness brought on by sleep deprivation, the only cure is sleep.

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