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The Department of Transport has launched a campaign Think! that yawn could save your life to stop people from driving-tired.
In a survey they found that people are ignoring their tiredness and not taking breaks. Yet tired drivers are causing 20% of crashes on major roads and accidents involving sleeping-drivers are more likely to be fatal or serious because they tend to be high-speed because of the lack of reaction from the slumbering driver.
The campaign is particularly focusing on people who drive for work as they are more likely to be regularly travelling long distances and drive tired. According to research by road safety charity Brake earlier this year one in ten people who drive for work (10%) have admitted falling asleep at the wheel.
The Brake research also found that 50% of people who drive for work compared to 35% driving outside work say they sometimes drive after less than five hours’ sleep.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"We all want to finish our journeys as quickly as possible but being tired at the wheel is a proven killer that we cannot ignore.
"People who drive for work are particularly at risk but there are simple steps we can all take to make our journeys safer. Plan regular stops into a long trip and if you find yourself yawning pull over and take a break - this could make the difference between life and death."
Dr Neil Stanley, a sleep expert from the Clinical Trials and Research Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said:
"Yawning quite simply means you're on the road to falling asleep - so if you're yawning behind the wheel it really is time to pull over."
Source - Legal & Medical
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