20 October 2016
Statement Regarding RTE Radio 1 Liveline Discussion in relation to Driver Fatigue
The advice regarding caffeine and its use in combating driver fatigue is being provided on the basis of the expert input of Professor Jim Horne, Head of the Sleep Research Laboratory at Loughborough University in the UK. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ssehs/research/behavioural-medicine/sleep/people.html
Professor Horne is a world expert on the subject of Driver Fatigue and has advised the UK, French, Australian and many other Governments on the issue.
It is an established scientific fact that caffeine reduces driver sleepiness. More importantly this advice, as adopted and communicated by Road Safety organisations world-wide has saved countless lives.
The advice for drivers suffering from fatigue and who find themselves fighting sleep at the wheel are as follows. Use common sense and listen to the signals your body is sending when it’s tired. Stop. Take a 15-20 minutes nap. In addition The Sleep Research Centre advises drivers to take a caffeine based drink just before the nap. The caffeine takes about 20 minutes to take effect. After the nap take some fresh air and exercise e.g. a brief walk. By the time you restart your journey the caffeine should have taken effect.
By taking a nap and drinking caffeine a driver should be able to drive for another one to two hours. By drinking caffeine alone a driver should be able to drive for another half hour to one hour. Obviously these times will vary depending on just how sleepy a driver is. In cases of extreme tiredness brought on by sleep deprivation the only cure is sleep.
It is important to state the most important thing to do, especially if you do not have access to a cup of coffee is to take the nap. The nap is the key. It’s also advised that you do not nap for more than 15 to 20 minutes. Any longer and you will fall into a deeper sleep which if interrupted will leave you groggy when you wake up.
Tea is not a good source of caffeine stimulation. A driver would have to drink five cups of tea to get the same level of caffeine from one cup of coffee. Energy drinks e.g. Red Bull, which have high caffeine content are also a good option. Lucozade is of no use in combating tiredness as it has high sugar content which is of no benefit.
I would also like to stress that all road safety advertisements created by the RSA, undergo a rigorous evidence-based strategic development process.