A brand new examine by insurance coverage supplier, Chill, reveals 32.1 million UK drivers face four-times the danger of accidents this summer time, on account of harmful ranges of fatigue.
The examine reveals 1 / 4 (25%) admitted to narrowly avoiding a deadly accident on account of their very own drowsiness. Regardless of this, over a 3rd (35%) plan to skip relaxation stops on summer time street journeys this 12 months, even when feeling too exhausted to drive.
It’s estimated that driver fatigue is prone to account for as much as 20% of all UK automobile collisions. Nevertheless, half of UK drivers (50%) say they repeatedly drive on 5 hours sleep or much less, which Chill reveals might quadruple accident danger as it’s in a state corresponding to being over the authorized alcohol restrict.
Analysing knowledge from UK drivers, 4 in ten (40%) confess to feeling so drowsy behind the wheel that they risked falling asleep, and over two-fifths (42%) report repeatedly feeling exhausted when driving.
Analyzing seasonality and its impression, one in three (30%) state they really feel extra fatigued driving in summer time in comparison with different months. With two in 5 (40%) reporting the warmth itself as a big contributor to drowsiness, and practically 1 / 4 (23%) say dehydration ranges trigger them to really feel extra fatigued while driving in summer time.
Regardless of the info displaying a heightened danger of drowsy driving within the UK, solely 27% say they prioritise napping or resting when driving drained. As an alternative, many admit to resorting to unsafe strategies like opening automotive home windows (46%), taking part in loud music (28%), consuming sugary drinks (17%), and consuming snacks (22%).
Analysing the extra driver challenges the summer time months carry, over two-fifths of UK drivers (43%) recognized windscreen glare from the solar as a significant distraction, additional compromising their means to focus.
The examine seems to be at driver fatigue ranges on a metropolis scale, analysing knowledge from UK cities, revealing the areas with the best variety of drowsy drivers. Topping the listing is Sheffield the place a staggering 63% of drivers admit to ceaselessly driving whereas fatigued.
Why does summer time improve drowsy driving?
Ian O’Reilly, Head of Private Line Gross sales and Highway Security Skilled at Chill says: “Whereas fatigue is a year-round menace, a number of elements distinctive to summer time make it a primary season for drowsy drivers and potential accidents. Scorching climate disrupts sleep patterns, dehydration zaps power, and solar glare may cause harmful distractions for drivers”.
Ian O’Reilly continues: “To remain protected this summer time, plan journeys for cooler morning hours at any time when doable. If driving at night time is unavoidable, prioritise breaks each two hours, even in case you really feel okay. Get out of the automotive, stroll round, and splash some cool water in your face. A brief burst of refreshment could make a world of distinction behind the wheel. The Cease, Sip, Sleep methodology is accepted as finest apply, which you must consult with earlier than heading off in your journey”.
In line with the examine, Sheffield takes the undesirable crown for the drowsiest metropolis within the UK. A staggering 63% of drivers in Sheffield admit to ceaselessly driving whereas fatigued. This fatigue epidemic is additional amplified by the alarming variety of Sheffield drivers (67%) who report getting lower than 5 hours of sleep per night time. These mixed elements create a recipe for catastrophe on Sheffield’s roads, with 41% of drivers admitting to feeling so fatigued they practically fell asleep on the wheel – a quantity mirrored in Belfast.
