Sleep News

"Drowsy driving" a motoring risk

Driving with insufficient sleep makes drivers more dangerous to other motorists, it is claimed.

American organisation the National Sleep Foundation highlighted that a lack of shut-eye could be just as dangerous behind the wheel as a few drinks or poor road conditions.

It flags up figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Council which illustrate night time fatality rates to be three times greater than when it is daylight.

Darren Drobnich, chief programme officer at the organisation, says "drowsy driving" could be a common problem.

"Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, but are unaware that driving drowsy can be just as fatal," he adds.

UK body the Sleep Council revealed earlier this year that half of people questioned in a recent survey admitted only changing their bed when it broke, rather than because it had become uncomfortable.