Millions still falling asleep at wheel

• Drivers still ignorant of fatigue risks
• Most drivers using ineffective methods to beat it
• Tiredness a factor in many fatal crashes

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Drivers don't know how to beat tiredness at the wheel, according to a new report for road safety charity Brake.

Most driver (78%) still think that ineffective techniques such as opening a window or turning on the radio will help them stay awake - in fact, drivers were three times more likely to open a window than take a nap while safely parked.

In fact, Brake says there are only three proven measures to avoid tiredness when driving - a good night's sleep before a journey, stopping every two hours and stopping to take a nap if tired.

One in 14 drivers admitted to falling asleep when driving at some point in the last year, while 26% said they had been a passenger with a tired driver.

According to DfT statistics, tiredness is a factor in 96 fatal crashes each year, and leads to many more serious injuries. The real death toll is likely to be higher, because it is hard to prove a driver was tired or asleep at the time of an accident.

Brake is calling for more education for drivers. Jools Townsend, head of education at the charity, said: 'We need to see high-profile advertising campaigns about the dangers of driving when tired to educate drivers who are, often unwittingly, putting themselves and others in terrible danger.'