One in ten people who drive for work (10%) have admitted falling asleep at the wheel in the past year, according to new research by road safety charity Brake and Green Flag.

The shocking figure is more than twice as high as the number of drivers who don't drive for work but who say they have fallen asleep in the past year, which is still an alarmingly high one in 25 drivers (4%).

Nodding off for just a second or two at the wheel can kill: travelling at 60mph on a motorway (one of the main types of road where fatigue commonly occurs), a driver covers 27 metres (88 feet) per second.

One of the main causes of nodding off at the wheel is insufficient sleep the night before. The research has found that people who drive for work are more likely to drive after insufficient sleep. Half (50%) of people who drive for work who were surveyed say they sometimes drive after less than five hours' sleep, compared to just over a third (35%) of people who drive only outside work. Research shows that if you drive after less than five hours' sleep, you have just a one in ten chance of staying fully awake on a lengthy journey¹.

An estimated six people die each week in crashes caused by tired drivers². Tired driving crashes tend to be high-speed, as drivers do not brake, meaning the risk of death or serious injury is greater than in some other types of crashes³.

With the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Act approaching (6 April 2008), employers who fail to ensure their employees drive safely during work time, leading to a fatal crash, will face a greater risk of prosecution (see Notes to editors).

Brake is urging all companies with employees who drive for work (including professional drivers and reps or managers who drive to meetings or appointments) to ensure they have robust systems in place to prevent tired driving. This includes having a thorough safe driving policy, setting realistic schedules and ensuring employees are aware of the dangers of driving tired. To combat this real killer, Brake has produced a free tiredness risk management pack for companies on preventing tired driving, which is available from Brake's Fleet Safety Forum division by calling 01484 559909 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (see Notes to editors).

Brake and Green Flag are also calling on all drivers to take responsibility for making sure they are fit to drive, including ensuring they have a good night's sleep before driving and allowing time to take regular breaks (at least 15 minutes every two hours). People who drive for work should also:

• Talk to their employer if they feel their schedule is unrealistic and could encourage tired driving;
• Inform their employer if they are having trouble sleeping or taking medication that can cause drowsiness;
• Stay within driving hours as stated by company policy (or Government legislation where applicable);
• Encourage their employer to access guidance from Brake on fleet safety including tiredness issues.

Brake is also calling on the Government to invest in high-profile TV media campaigns to raise awareness about tired driving among companies and individual drivers so they know the extent of the problem and how to tackle it.

Case studies

Richard Scott from Derbyshire was lucky to survive a crash in 1998. Richard was driving home from Heathrow on the motorway after getting off a long flight from Shanghai. Exhausted, Richard fell asleep at the wheel, and woke up as the car began to slip out of control. It turned on its roof, trapping Richard inside, and ended up on the hard shoulder. Richard had to be pulled out through the windscreen. Richard says: "I know I am lucky to be alive, I still keep the licence plate from that car as a reminder to me of the dangers of driving tired. It is tempting to think you are okay to drive if you feel a bit tired, but I learned the hard way what falling asleep can ensue all too easily. Thankfully no-one else was injured, and I recovered, but I urge all drivers never to risk getting behind the wheel if there is any chance you might be too tired."

Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns for Brake, says: "Too many people are dying on our roads because people get behind the wheel when impaired through tiredness. It is outrageous that so many companies allow their employees to drive on company time when they are so tired that they actually fall asleep. It's crucial that companies introduce thorough procedures to ensure employees are not endangering themselves and others when driving for work. But drivers themselves must also take responsibility. Getting behind the wheel when you've not had enough sleep is deadly."

Abi Clark, spokesperson for Green Flag, says: "All drivers should be fully alert when on the roads. Our research shows that people who drive for work are even more likely to be tired at the wheel than those who don't. However, the message is simple for all drivers: ensure you get sufficient sleep the night before you drive. If you nod off at the wheel, even for just a second, it can have serious consequences for all road users."

Find out more about breakdown insurance visit www.greenflag.com.