A WORRYINGLY high number of Irish drivers have admitted that they struggle to stay awake while behind the wheel.
According to a new survey conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), driver fatigue is a serious problem on Irish roads and one of the key contributors to severe injuries and fatalities.
Nearly a quarter (23.9%) of all motorists admitted that they had driven at least once - over the previous month - when they were so tired that they struggled to keep their eyes open.
The survey suggested that Irish drivers are more likely to drive in this state than road users elsewhere in Europe, with the European average at just 20%.
A similar survey conducted by the RSA last year further demonstrated Ireland's problem with driver fatigue.
Around one in five accidents on Irish roads are attributed to driver fatigueA study of Driver Attitudes and Behaviour found that 16% of 1,000 drivers surveyed said that they had fallen asleep or nodded off while behind the wheel.
Liz O'Donnell, chairperson of the RSA said: "Fatigue is estimated to be a contributory factor in a staggering one in five driver fatalities on Irish roads."
"That's a statistic that is sure to jolt you awake and demonstrates why driver fatigue is often referred to as 'the silent killer'," she added.
"The advice for drivers suffering from fatigue and who find themselves fighting sleep at the wheel is simple: Stop, Sip, Sleep.
"Pull over safely, drink a caffeinated drink and take a 15-20 minute nap. By the time you restart your journey, the caffeine should have taken effect and you should be able to safely drive for another hour or so.
"However, you just can't fight fatigue. The only cure for driver fatigue is sleep."
