South East drivers warned not to wait until tired before taking a break

Motorists across the South East are being urged to plan rest stops before setting off on long summer journeys, rather than waiting until they begin to feel tired behind the wheel.

National Highways issued the warning as schools break up for the summer holidays and thousands of families prepare to travel across the country.

New research suggests drivers in the South East are more likely than London motorists to plan breaks in advance. Around 44 per cent of drivers in the region factor rest stops into their journeys, compared with 35 per cent in London.

However, road safety experts say motorists can be poor judges of their own fatigue and may already be affected before they notice they are tired.

Nearly half of all fatigue-related collisions in England between May and August resulted in someone being killed or seriously injured.

National Highways says more motorists are planning to travel overnight or during the early morning this summer, often to avoid congestion. These are also the periods when statistics show the highest number of fatigue-related crashes occur.

Drivers are advised to be properly rested before leaving and to take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving.

Colin Stevenson, Road Safety information Lead at National Highways, said: "Fatigue can affect your concentration and reactions before you realise it. Our research shows more drivers will be travelling overnight or early-morning this summer, yet many aren’t making sure they’re properly rested before setting off.

“Whether you're heading off on holiday, visiting family or making a long journey, make sure you are well rested and never push through tiredness. Remember to plan at least a 15-minute break for every two hours of driving, whatever time you’re on the road."

Driver behaviour expert Professor John Groeger warned that feeling tired may mean fatigue is already affecting a motorist’s concentration, reactions and judgement.

He said drivers should consider not only how long they have been driving, but also how long they have been awake and the quality of their most recent sleep.

Professor John Groeger, Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University said:

“Driving is a complex task that requires sustained concentration, yet many drivers underestimate how demanding long-distance journeys can be. The danger is that people become less aware of their own declining performance. This happens because we spend too long driving without a break, and drive when we have been awake for too long. Drivers should think about more than just the miles ahead. They need to think about how long they have been driving without a break- two hours should be the max. Drivers also need to think about how long they have been awake, the quality of sleep when they last slept, and the time of day you’re travelling at which they are travelling. All of these can affect your ability behind the wheel.”

The research found some motorists were more likely to delay breaks when travelling overnight because roads appeared quieter.

Among drivers who stop less frequently at night, 40 per cent said having fewer vehicles on the road made it feel easier to travel longer distances without resting.

With millions expected to take to the roads over the holiday season, National Highways’ T.R.I.P. campaign encourages drivers to remember four simple steps to prepare for journeys on motorways and major A roads during busy periods: 

• Top-up: Fuel, oil, and screen wash 

• Rest: Plan regular stops every two hours to avoid driver fatigue 

• Inspect: Check tyre pressure and tread 

• Prepare: Have a plan for severe weather conditions  

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