A tenth 'risk car insurance claims by sleeping at the wheel'

Posted :04-01-2008

A total of ten per cent of people who drive for their job have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel in the last year, according to research by road safety charity Brake and Green Flag.

Besides risking a potential claim on their car insurance, those who nod off behind the wheel may also put their lives at risk, as well as those of other road users.

The research suggests that falling asleep while travelling on the motorway at 60 mph a driver will cover 27 metres per second.

Insufficient sleep has been identified as one of the main causes for dropping off while driving and those who drive for a living are more likely to get behind the wheel after an inadequate amount of slumber.

"Too many people are dying on our roads because people get behind the wheel when impaired through tiredness," comments Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns for Brake.

Recent research by car insurance provider LV= suggests that a lack of sleep can affect a driver's ability to react quickly and think straight while behind the wheel.


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