You’ll travel over 30 metres a SECOND with your eyes closed if you have a microsleep while driving at 70mph – here’s how to avoid fatigue at the wheel
These tips can help you avoid falling asleep while driving long distances
DRIVERS who doze off while driving at 70mph will travel 30 metres in just a second.
But these tips can help you stay alert while behind the wheel.
A breakdown by IAM RoadSmart has revealed that you will travel 31 metres for every second your eyes are closed when driving at 70mph.
Microsleeps are short periods of rest, which can be experienced without you knowing they have even happened.
Although it may seem harmless, fatigue can greatly impact your reaction time and ability to control your motor.
Even losing one or two hours of sleep a night can lead to you dozing off while behind the wheel.
How to avoid failing asleep while behind the wheel
- Take regular breaks: Make sure to take breaks every two hours when driving on long stretches of the motorway. It's essential to rest before you feel drowsy.
- Stop for an overnight rest: You can easily break up your journey by stopping at a hotel for a few hours of sleep.
- Avoid long drives after work: Jumping behind the wheel after a long day at work may seem like a good idea, but you are likely to be very tired. Try and start your journey earlier in the day.
- Seek medical advice: If you've taken prescribed medication, ask your GP or read the instructions to see if they will affect your driving.
One in six accidents which result in death or injury are caused by fatigue, according to a study at Loughborough University.
Many drivers will try to push through their tiredness, but this can often lead to an accident.
Safety experts recommend motorists to stop at least every two hours when driving long distances.
If travelling overnight, you can even stop at a local hotel for some food and a quick nap.
It's also important to plan the best time to drive.
If possible, avoid driving from 2am to 5am and 2pm to 4pm as these are the peak times you can be tired.
You're also likely to be fatigued after a full day at work, so try and plan your journey for when you're most alert.
Before setting on a road trip, you should also check with your doctor to see if any prescribed medication will affect your driving.
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Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards at IAM RoadSmart, said: "Even the fittest of us need regular sleep to perform at our highest standards.
"Driving requires full concentration at all times and if you are tired, your ability to concentrate is reduced.
"Our internal body clock (circadian rhythm) is usually set to deal with our normal lifestyle, extra care needs to be taken when driving during a time we would normally be at rest. Stop, rehydrate and rest if you need to."