When you think of reckless driving, your mind may instantly be drawn to the effects of driving under the influence, or perhaps ignoring speed limits. But did you know that fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving? Being awake for 24 hours has an equivalent impact on the brain as a blood alcohol content of 0.10%, which is above the legal limit in the UK.
Even if you’ve gained decades’ of experience behind the wheel, the law and Highway Code are constantly being updated to optimise driver safety. This means that no matter how experienced a driver you are, it’s vital that all motorists pay close attention to the latest information. A great place to start is by checking out this essential road safety guide produced by industry experts Hendy. This data-driven guide includes insightful statistics about fatigued driving and how this dangerous habit manifests itself on UK roads. For example, 13% of respondents to one survey admitted to falling asleep while driving at some point in their lives.
This valuable resource also takes a deep dive into both the causes of driver fatigue and advice around how it can be better managed or even prevented altogether. As well as understanding the safety implications, it’s vital for drivers to also acknowledge the legalities involved, which are also explored in the guide.
The updated comprehensive five-part guide covers:
- Key statistics and risk factors for fatigued driving on UK roads
- The most common causes of driver fatigue
- Preventative measures to stay awake while driving
- What the law says about falling asleep behind the wheel
- Resources on dealing with fatigue and road safety
Some facts you might find interesting are:
- Driver fatigue may be a contributory factor in up to 20% of road accidents and up to one quarter of fatal and serious accidents.
- Young drivers aged 18-24 are at the highest risk of road accidents, with 29% still driving even though they already felt tired at the start of their journey.
- Driving when awake for 18 hours has the same impact on the brain as someone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%.
Read more her: https://www.hendycarstore.co.uk/driver-fatigue-essential-road-safety-guide/