Businesses are putting themselves at risk, as a Uswitch survey has found that 87% of professional drivers in the UK admit to driving while tired, despite 94% understanding the dangers, such as slower reaction times and impaired focus.
Key pressures include tight schedules, with 46% prioritising deliveries or meetings and 38% driven by deadlines. Over a quarter said they had to reach their next job, while 9% felt unable to stop.
Only 31% felt well-supported by their employer in managing fatigue, while 13% felt completely unsupported.
To combat tiredness, 56% rely on caffeine, 38% take breaks or open windows, 29% play music, and 27% eat snacks. Alarmingly, 7% push through without stopping.
BRAKE estimates fatigue plays a role in up to 20% of UK road crashes, leaving employers at risk, legally, morally and financially. 
Uswitch’s Felicity Ferguson stressed the importance of recognising signs of fatigue and ensuring proper rest: “Spotting the signs of fatigue – like yawning, trouble focusing or irritability – is crucial.
"Drivers should treat sleep as essential, not optional, and rest as soon as they feel tired.”
She added that employers have an essential role to play: “Encouraging open conversations about fatigue, offering realistic schedules and creating opportunities for drivers to rest are key to reducing the risks.”
https://www.uswitch.com/car-insurance/temporary/
