This month we talk about how drivers can best manage tiredness and fatigue when driving and how to avoid the effects of fatigue when driving. We give advice on avoiding Road Rage and how to deal with other drivers who behave aggressively.
PREVENTING TIREDNESS AND FATIGUE WHEN DRIVING
Drivers can be prone to sleepiness especially if their lifestyle is demanding and they suffer from stress. During the summer months factors that bring on tiredness when driving include hot weather if the vehicle is poorly ventilated, if a driver is dehydrated or if driving into bright sunshine wearing sunglasses unsuitable for safe driving in sunny conditions.
In the winter months drivers can also become fatigued and sleepy when driving after dark and driving in the early morning before sunrise.
Tired drivers are involved in 20% of accidents on major roads according to UK Department of Transport figures.
- Research shows that driving through the night and between 2pm and 4pm
are the times when drivers are more likely to feel sleepy. - After eating a meal there is more likelihood that a driver will feel sleepy
when behind the wheel. - Be aware of drowsiness when driving home after a days’ work carried out at
a significant distance from their normal work location. - Feeling stressed, working at a second job and lifestyle issues such as poor
diet all impact on feelings of fatigue. - Breaks and suitable locations to take breaks should be planned before a
journey starts. - Anyone working 12 hour shifts rather than 8-hour shifts are going to be
much more tired when driving home. - Think twice about getting involved in evening hobbies, getting to sleep after
midnight and drinking alcohol on a work night, if they need to drive for work
in the morning.
ROAD RAGE AND THE CHALLENGES OF SUMMER TIME DRIVING
In recent years the frequency of aggressive driving and drivers experiencing road rage has been on the increase. With nearly 42 million licensed vehicles in the UK at the end of 2024 it is easy to understand how traffic jams and queuing traffic at peak hours causes daily congestion because the road infrastructure simply cannot cope with the volume of traffic. Congestion ‘hotspots’ may cause drivers to become stressed and agitated, especially if this happens on a regular basis causing journey delays.
These feelings can spill over into road rage if not handled and checked. It is important for you to be reminded about how to handle any stress and annoyance they feel towards other drivers and traffic situations so you can handle situations professionally and cope when other drivers are driving aggressively.
During the summer months our roads are particularly busy due to additional traffic from holiday makers, crowds attending festivals and events, cyclist groups, farm traffic and generally people getting out and about enjoying the better weather. So busy roads get even busier, and drivers can get more stressed especially if delays cause them to run behind their work schedule.
How should you cope with an aggressive road rage driver close to you on the road?
- If you feel threatened in any way, if another driver pulls alongside the vehicle and tries to distract you try avoid eye contact.
- If another driver honks their horn, you should never retaliate – the horn is there to get a driver’s attention to let them know you are there, not to
harass drivers. - Change lanes and even pull off the road to safety if necessary. Always keep doors locked and the engine running in case you need to drive off. Park up in a safe public space for safety.
- If you are followed by another vehicle memorise the registration number, other vehicle’s details and driver details. Report the incident to the Police
and you immediate supervisor / Manager as soon as possible.
In the event of a driver having a collision with an aggressive driver or if you are put into a situation where it is necessary to confront the aggressive driver whom you feel is at fault, you must stay calm and unemotional. Factual conversations that avoid directing blame are the best. You should practice keeping calm and stay composed. Always wait for the Police to arrive if in doubt of the other driver’s reaction stay in the vehicle and avoid confronting the aggressive driver if you feel threatened.
