A MAJOR initiative by police and safety campaigners began this week in a bid to make motorists aware that tiredness can kill. Government figures show that fatigue is a main factor in around ten per cent of all road accidents.

Now officers from Surrey Police and representatives of Brake, a road safety organisation, are taking the message to motorists at Clacket Lane service station, between junctions five and six of the M25 in Surrey.

They will hand out leaflets which include practical advice on how often to take breaks.

Motorists will also be asked to take part in a survey on fatigue being conducted by Brake, and the results will form the basis for a one-day conference, called Tired and Emotional, to be held in Bedfordshire on January 26.

Mary Williams, Brake's executive director, said: "Some of the thousands of drivers who fall asleep every day while driving will never wake up.

"Driver fatigue is a hidden killer. Unlike alcohol, you cannot test for it, but it is just as dangerous."

Story date: Wednesday 08 December

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