Almost a quarter of Irish people say they have struggled to stay awake while driving.
It comes as the number of road deaths has increased this year, compared to 2019, despite the covid restrictions.
Professor Walter McNicholas (@UCDMedicine ) is discussing driver fatigue now and makes the following observations on “Those suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and insomnia are at a higher risk of falling asleep while driving..." 1/
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) October 5, 2020
One In Five Driver Deaths Linked To Fatigue
Fatigue is a contributing factor in one in five incidents where a driver dies on Irish roads.
The latest statistics show 16 per cent of drivers admit they've fallen asleep or nodded off behind the wheel.
Road Safety Authority Chairperson Liz O'Donnell says this can be as dangerous as drink driving:
"If a drivers fights sleep while driving, it's the same as driving while over the drink driving limit for alcohol."
Often Involving Just One Vehicle
Accidents like this tend to happen after midnight or in the mid-afternoon.
Often it's just one vehicle leaving the road, most likely to be one allowing high speeds.
Studies have shown young men, people working night shifts, and taxi and truck drivers are most at risk from driver fatigue.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD says we need to treat driver fatigue seriously:
"There are dangerous behaviors which we all know like driving under the influence of drink or drugs, or talking on a phone while driving."
"Today's theme though is one which can affect even the most responsible drivers, it's driver fatigue."
Road Deaths Increasing Compared To 2019
Gardai have recorded 112 road deaths so far this year.
It's 6 more than the the same period in 2019.
