Dangers of dozing off at the wheel
MORE than 54pc of motorists admit driving while too tired.
A survey of 4,000 found that 69pc of those who had actually dozed off at the wheel were overweight -- a major cause of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
OSA is a sleep disorder characterised by pauses in breathing during sleep. It also causes acute tiredness.
Road safety charity Brake conducted the survey and called for a campaign to alert all drivers to the importance of adequate sleep, and the need for an immediate visit to a doctor if OSA is suspected.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said drivers must take responsibility.
"Getting behind the wheel when you haven't had sufficient sleep can be deadly," she said.
Irish Independent
