More than four million UK drivers have nodded off at the wheel in the past year, an alarming survey reveals.
One in eight of Britain’s 33 million drivers has “head nodded” for between two and 30 seconds - dubbed a “microsleep” by experts - often without even realising they have been asleep - and the percentage in South Africa is likely to be even higher, given this country’s long, straight and relatively quiet rural roads.
And nearly a third (29 percent) of drivers have continued their journey, ignoring the first tell-tale signs of drowsiness.
If you are overweight, young and male, or drive commercially for a living, you are particularly at risk, says the report by road safety charity Brake and weight management programme Cambridge Weight Plan.
The poll of 1000 drivers also showed that a quarter admitted starting journeys when already feeling tired.
And nearly nine out of 10 (86 percent) were failing to follow advice to stop somewhere safe for a nap when getting tired at the wheel.
One in seven reported suffering from a health condition such as sleep apnoea that makes them tired during the day.
Sleep apnoea can cause daytime sleepiness, and in some cases can cause the sufferer to fall asleep without warning.
Experts estimate tired drivers cause one in five fatal crashes on national roads; crashes caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel tend to be high-speed ones, as they do not brake before crashing, increasing the risk of death or serious injury.
Julie Townsend, of Brake, said: “Tiredness at the wheel kills. Driving a vehicle is a huge responsibility that must be taken seriously. It’s a matter of life and death.”