ONE IN five road deaths is caused by driver fatigue, according to the Road Safety Authority. RSA chief executive Noel Brett said research showed that driving while fatigued was as dangerous as driving at the current drink-driving limits.
He said people needed to be aware when they were tired and should take a break. He stressed it was not safe to open the window or turn on the radio and continue driving.
“All of the inter-urban motorways have signage and distances to the closest services and most of them are within a kilometre or two from the turn-off.”
The RSA is concerned that links between driver fatigue and collisions are under-reported. Studies it had carried found one driver in 10 in Ireland had fallen asleep at the wheel. Falling asleep for three seconds at the motorway speed limit of 120km/h would result in a car travelling 100 metres uncontrolled.
Garda Chief Supt Gabriel McIntyre said: “We pay particular attention to the area of driver fatigue. We appeal to motorists to use service stations that are on motorways and to pull into a safe location as well if you want to take a rest.”
The RSA recommends fighting tiredness by stopping the car, having a short nap and two cups of coffee as well as getting out of the car for a few minutes. Mr Brett also suggested waiting until the following morning to travel if a driver was too tired to concentrate.
“We want people to have a good and happy weekend and arrive alive.” In the past decade, 195 people have been killed and seriously injured on the roads on August bank holiday weekends.