The RSA says this 'silent killer' may have accounted for more than 350 road deaths in the past five years.
RSA CEO Noel Brett says there's an extra risk of more people dying on our roads every bank holiday weekend, and more people will be taking to the roads, travelling long distances and often without breaks.
"Scientific studies show that if a driver persists in fighting sleep while driving, the impairment level is the same as driving while over the drink drive limit." he adds.
Drivers who persist in fighting sleep can experience ‘micro sleeps’ whereby they will drift in and out of consciousness. Micro sleeps can last for 10 seconds during which time a driver has no control over the vehicle and drivers may be unaware that they are experiencing a ‘micro sleep’ until it’s too late.
The RSA is offering the following advice to motorists over the coming weekend:
1. NEVER DRIVE IF YOU'RE FIGHTING SLEEP.
2. When you start fighting sleep at the wheel, your impairment is as dangerous as driving over the legal alcohol limit.
3. Stop and take a nap for 15 minutes- (set your mobile phone alarm)
4. To really make the most of your break take a Caffeine drink before the nap (150mg of Caffeine e.g. 2 cups of coffee).
5. After the nap, get some fresh air and stretch your legs.
By following all of the above advice you should be able to drive for another hour or more.
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