Never drive while tired

You should not drive while tired or fatigued. Research has shown that tiredness in drivers is a major road safety risk, both to themselves and others.

Micro-sleeps

You can experience micro-sleeps if you are tired and fighting sleep.

These episodes can last up to 10 seconds and can be experienced even when your eyes are open.

During a micro-sleep of even 4 seconds, your vehicle can travel 100 metres (longer than a football pitch) without you being in control of your vehicle.

Ways to avoid being tired while driving:

• Never drive if you are fighting sleep.
• Prepare yourself for driving by ensuring you get adequate sleep.
• If you are on any medication, check if it causes drowsiness.
• Prepare your journey properly, and plan where you can take a safe break from driving.
• Drink a cup of strong coffee or a caffeinated drink and take a nap for maximum of 20 minutes.
• After the nap, if it is safe to do so, get some fresh air and stretch your legs.
• If you are suffering from a serious lack of sleep, the only cure is sleep!
• Driving through a city? You could stop off at a car park, and take a break while visiting somewhere new along the way.

Q-Park is now working with New Driver, the safe motoring magazine offering information to Northern Ireland's new drivers, to promote safer driving. The magazine and website at http://www.newdriverni.com are packed with useful information for anyone in Northern Ireland that is starting out on the road so we will be sharing some tips to support this initiative and new drivers all over the UK and Ireland.