Safe Speed Forums

I did rep;y rather scathingly to a Ph-er who has been recently diagnosed with this. Now .. it can be treated and controlled.

But, those who are so diagnosed need to inform DVLA of change of medical condition .. and be assessed via their own doctors and an independent one all the same. I would not want anyone to feel that guilt which our honorary granny to our kids goes through because of what her husband did to Wildy a long time ago. It's a life sentence. I would not wish on anyone.

[quote+"Men"]
Coroner's plea over driving while tired
Fay Schlesinger
25/ 8/2008


A CORONER has called for a `radical' campaign about the dangers of driving while tired - saying it should be treated as seriously as drink driving.

The call came at the inquest into the death of Toby Tweddell, 25, from Sale, who died in a pile-up caused by a lorry driver who was suffering from an undiagnosed sleep condition.

Coroner Christopher Sumner ruled the death was an accident because the driver didn't know he had the condition - but said `such needless waste of life' could be avoided.

He said: "We rightly promote that it is morally wrong and illegal to drive a motor vehicle while impaired through drink or drugs.

"Little attention, however, is given to the question of tiredness while driving. A radical programme of education in this matter is required.

"It is not sufficient to flash a message on a motorway illuminated sign that `tiredness kills'. Drivers should be educated in the same manner as they are concerning drink-driving."

Web designer Mr Tweddell died when his Nissan Micra was crushed and eight other vehicles damaged in the smash on the M62 in August 2006. His death from multiple injuries was one of about 300 sleep-related fatalities on Britain's roads each year.

The Merseyside inquest heard lorry driver Colin Wrighton ploughed into stationary traffic at a junction on the outskirts of Liverpool four months after complaining of tiredness to his doctor, who said he may be suffering from stress.

He was later diagnosed as having sleep apnoea - sufferers have their sleep constantly disrupted by having to wake up to breathe. [/quote] Actually it can be what causes cot death and its adult form




Speed is not our great klller. Illness.. drugs. drink.. fatigue and some stupidity cause 95% of all incidents out there.

I think the single focus should be dropped in favour of a fully comprehenive .. educational and constantly educational scheme

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I had to jump on the brakes the other day when a truck I was about 1/3 of the way past on the motorway started drifting from L2 into L3! I guess an experienced traffic cop might be able to stop some of these cases before they tunrned into nasty accidents but until the government develops the technology to automate the procedure of turning the odd yawn into a demand for £60, I've a strange feeling this isn't going to get the attention it deserves!

Hmmmm... "Yawncam"... I might make my fortune yet...!

Can quite concurr - the medics are probably as well qualified (from experience ) to talk from personal experience - but I've noticed that after the wanting to go to sleep stage - you are wide awake, performing automatically with little reaction to anything out of the ordinary . In this stage I would not fall asleep at the wheel -but I hate to think of my reaction time .The only thing that might bring back normality is a shock -such as a near miss .

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I recently had the experience of driving whilst tired and hated it. I could almost see the mistakes I was making in advance but could do little to prevent them.

After a night shift I started the journey feeling ok and capable of doing the 1 hour trip. But 40 minutes in and I was finding my self drifting. Not between lanes but following distance. Unfortunately the next available stop was nearly 10 miles away (motorway). It is a situation I would not like to repeat.

Once off the motorway I seemed to awaken and drive normally.

I think the biggest problem is actually recognising what is happening. Then dealing with it in the quickest and safest way. I got off the motorway and pulled over at the first oppotunity (sp) and took a five minute break even though I was only 10 minutes from home.

Yes, I think recognising the signs is the key too. Many years ago, I fell asleep at the wheel. I didn't think it would be possible because it was a noisy, uncomfortable car (a Reliant in fact!) in which the noise was so great and the stereo so feeble, I had a pair of wedge speakers stuck to the headlining either side of my head with Evo-stick! I had "Flock of Seagulls" blasting out (that's how long ago it was!) and was driving through France with 2 mates and my cousin in the car. I woke up with a start as a result of a scream from my cousin in the front passenger seat and found myself on the hard shoulder, drifting towards the embankment. No harm done on that occasion but a lesson well-learned! It's amazing how it can sneak up on you!

Well that sounds pretty simple, oh, hold on...



We'll need a health service that works first then, somewhere you can go and be taken seriously. Where's the "relatively simple" solution for that? It's all well and good saying we should put it on par with drink-driving, drink-driving has a relatively clear threshold, how do you "do" someone for a medical condition they didn't really know existed, and had attempted to seek help for and been fobbed off? Does the doc get done for negligence?

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