A lorry driver killed on the M40 when he ploughed into a stationary truck was likely to have been fatigue, a coroner has ruled.

Police are now warning lorry drivers they risk killing themselves and other motorists if they do not take rests.

German lorry driver, Michael Pokriefke, 41, died when his heavy goods vehicle hit a Polish lorry on the hard shoulder between junction 6 at Lewknor and junction 7 at Great Haseley of the M40 in February.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of accidental death caused by fatigue at Oxford Coroners' Court.

Pc Terry Anderson, the forensic collision investigator for the case, said: "The drivers' 52 previous tachograph charts were examined by the vehicle and operator services agency.

"The 52 charts covered a period of 34 days and there were a total of 230 infringements detected involving every single chart.

"The offences ranged from failure to complete the centre field of the chart to excessive daily, weekly and fortnightly driving hours and insufficient rest and breaks.

"The driver had not taken a day off during the 34 days of available records."