Don’t drive tired on your bank holiday journeys

·  Up to 20% of road crashes are related to fatigue

· Widespread programme of motorway roadworks likely to cause extra delay

· Get a good night’s sleep before a journey, share the driving and stay hydrated

Stay safe on your bank holiday journeys this weekend by ensuring you’re properly rested before setting off, says breakdown and road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist. The advice comes as families from across England and Wales make ready for bank holiday journeys to theme parks, seaside resorts and beauty spots.

Experts say up to 20 per cent of all road collisions – and a quarter of all fatal crashes – are related to fatigue1. That’s why GEM is advising drivers to reduce risk by getting a good night’s sleep before a long journey and to build in breaks along the way.

GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst says: “The bank holiday weekend is sure to see heavy traffic on much of our motorway network, as well as on routes to the coast and to tourist attractions. There’s also a large-scale programme of roadworks as additional emergency areas are constructed along long stretches of smart motorway, so do allow extra time for your journey.

“Being tired when you're driving raises the risk of a collision, especially if you’re driving early or late – or even through the night – to avoid the queues.

“Watch out for the obvious warning signs that you’re tired. These include difficulty focusing on the driving task, fidgeting and frequent yawning. As fatigue grows, it will be harder to focus on driving. You may also find yourself drifting to the left or right, and unable to maintain a constant speed.”

GEM offers a few simple tips for drivers to reduce the risk of a fatigue-related collision:

· Get a good night’s sleep before you drive a long journey.

· Build in time to reach your destination (or your night-stop) without rushing. Remove time pressures wherever possible.

· If possible, share the driving. Just check that your co-driver has the right insurance cover.

· Stay hydrated. This assists in keeping you awake and alert, particularly on long, hot journeys.

· Take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours or 100 miles. Get out of the car, do some exercise, stretch or walk. If necessary, have a caffeine drink or two to boost your alertness.

· If you are driving all day, schedule a proper hour-long break in the middle of the day, as this serves to split the day’s driving into two shorter and more manageable halves.

· Avoid driving alone for long distances if possible.

· Don’t press on into the night. Avoid driving at times when you would usually be asleep.

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