National Highways data reveals a 59% rise in fatigue-related deaths and serious injuries on the roads during summer.
Despite this, just 39% of drivers say they would take a break when feeling tired. Meanwhile, 29% admitted they didn’t plan any rest stops on their last long trip, and most motorists acknowledged they would keep driving without taking a break.
When comparing regions, the survey found that drivers in the northeast, northwest, and southwest were more likely to stop for rest, while drivers from the East Midlands were least likely to stop for rest.
Following the survey, National Highways has reiterated the importance of taking a 15-minute break after every two hours of driving.
Director of road safety at National Highways, Sheena Hague, said: “Fatigue behind the wheel can be deadly. It’s not just about falling asleep; tiredness slows your reactions, clouds your judgment, and can lead to dangerous mistakes. That’s why we’re encouraging drivers to follow our advice by planning ahead, taking regular breaks and staying refreshed.”
National Highways data on killed or seriously injured (KSI) incidents reveals that over a five-year period, 493 KSIs occurred during non-summer months - an average of 164 per season. Summer months saw a significantly higher average of 262 per year, representing a 59% increase.
The findings come after a Uswitch study revealed that 87% of professional drivers have admitted to getting behind the wheel while tired. Together, these figures highlight that tiredness continues to play a major role in serious road incidents, but many drivers are still failing to take rest seriously.
