Only you know your body and when you are tired, therefore the responsibility to do something about it rests with you. The choice to operate a vehicle when under any sort of mind or body altering substance must also be considered carefully.
Driver fatigue
Obvious symptoms:
- Eyelids feeling heavy;
- Head starts nodding and waves of tiredness are felt;
- Inability to concentrate;
- Clumsiness and forgetfulness.
If you start to feel tired:
- Open the windows to get plenty of fresh air. Stop as soon as it is safe and take a break;
- If you are on the motorway, don’t ever stop on the hard shoulder. Instead take the next exit and find somewhere to park, or stop at the next motorway service area.
How to prevent fatigue:
- Plan to stop for a 15 minute break every 2 hours on a long journey;
- Share the driving if possible;
- Make sure you have adequate rest before starting a long journey;
- Avoid driving for long distances after a long day’s work.
Please remember that drivers do not have to be tired to fall asleep. Even well rested drivers can become drowsy and no amount of willpower will keep you awake.
Drugs and driving
Most people now recognise that drinking and driving is socially unacceptable and that the consequences can be fatal. Equally as important is the effect of drugs on driving.
Medicinal drugs
Some drugs prescribed by doctors or purchased from pharmacists do not affect driving safety at all. Others are not safe to combine with journeys where you have to drive. Fortunately, there are many medicines that can be taken which are just as effective as others but do not have an adverse effect on driving. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to prescribe or advise on safer options.
Illegal drugs
There is a worrying growth in the number of drivers killed on the road with traces of illegal drugs in their bodies. This trend is causing concern and will not be tolerated by authorities. Whilst recreational drugs are difficult to test for, extensive trials are ongoing to produce reliable roadside drug tests.