MORE than 54pc of motorists admit driving while too tired. An unacceptable figure at any time, yet alone in the current climate when Road Safety is on the forefront of everyone’s thoughts.

A survey of 4,000 found that 69pc of those who had actually dozed off at the wheel were overweight — a major cause of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

OSA is a sleep disorder characterised by pauses in breathing during sleep. It also causes acute tiredness.

Road safety charity Brake conducted the survey and called for a campaign to alert all drivers to the importance of adequate sleep, and the need for an immediate visit to a doctor if OSA is suspected.

Source: Independent.ie