WHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS

Fifteen minutes,
every two hours.

Tiredness is easy to underestimate.

RoSPA says fatigue may contribute to up to 20% of road collisions and up to a quarter of fatal and serious ones. The Highway Code's answer is plain: sleep before a long trip, avoid the small hours, and plan regular breaks.

15 MIN break every 2 hours

Check a journey

An empty dual carriageway curving through green countryside at dawn, seen from a quiet lay-by with soft mist over the fields — AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.

Sleep before you go
Plan the breaks
Stop when sleepy
Simple habits for long drives

THE SHORT ANSWER

Rest before
you need it.

Sleepiness builds slowly and quietly.
The guidance is about planning, not willpower.

BEFORE YOU GO

Sleep first

The Highway Code says do not begin a journey if you are tired, and get sufficient sleep before a long one.

Check a journey

ON THE ROAD

Plan the stops

It recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving, planned into the route before you set off.

How to plan

IF YOU FEEL SLEEPY

Stop somewhere safe

Stop in a safe place as soon as you can, but not in an emergency area or on a motorway hard shoulder.

See the numbers

A QUICK JOURNEY CHECK

How risky
is this drive?

Pick a situation to see what the guidance says about tiredness. The bar shows how strongly the guidance points to extra care.

Journey check

Choose a situationA long drive after midnightDriving after lunch, 2pm to 4pmTwo hours without a stopOnly 5 to 6 hours' sleepRested, short daytime trip

A long drive after midnightAvoid if you can

The Highway Code advises avoiding long journeys between midnight and 6am, when natural alertness is at a minimum.

Driving after lunch, 2pm to 4pmTake care

The DVLA says natural sleepiness also peaks between 2pm and 4pm, and that alcohol in the afternoon may be twice as potent as the same amount in the evening.

Two hours without a stopTime for a break

The Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving.

Only 5 to 6 hours' sleepHigher risk

A US study cited by RoSPA found 5 to 6 hours' sleep in the previous 24 hours gave 1.9 times the collision rate of 7 hours.

Rested, short daytime tripLower risk

A good night's sleep and a daytime journey avoid the risk factors the guidance highlights. Still stop if you feel sleepy.

Sources: Highway Code rule 91; DVLA leaflet INF159, Tiredness can kill; RoSPA Driver Fatigue factsheet (2024).

Based on the Highway Code rule 91, DVLA leaflet INF159 and RoSPA's driver fatigue factsheet. General information only.

TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING

Short sleep,
long odds.

One figure on how often fatigue plays a part,
one on how much a short night raises the risk.

up to 20%

Road collisions fatigue may contribute to

RoSPA, citing the Department for Transport, says fatigue may contribute to up to 20% of road collisions and up to one quarter of fatal and serious collisions.

COLLISIONS · ROSPA

11.5× higher

Collision rate with 4 hours' sleep or less

Compared with 7 hours' sleep in the previous 24 hours, 4 hours or less was linked to 11.5 times the collision rate, in a 2016 US study cited by RoSPA.

SLEEP · AAA FOUNDATION STUDY

RoSPA notes that it is hard to determine the exact number of fatigue-related collisions. It estimates that about 1,300 UK injury collisions in 2022 involved driver fatigue.

FOUR HABITS FOR LONG DRIVES

Plan the rest,
then drive.

None of this needs special kit. It is about deciding when to stop before the journey starts.

Sleep well the night before
Get sufficient sleep before a long journey, and do not set off if you already feel tired.
Avoid the small hours
Where you can, keep long drives out of the midnight to 6am window.
Mark your stops
Plan a break of at least 15 minutes for every two hours of driving, at safe places along your route.
Stop when sleepy
If sleepiness arrives, pull in somewhere safe as soon as you can. Never use the hard shoulder or an emergency area to rest.

A thermos cup and a folded road map on a picnic bench at a countryside rest stop, with a parked car blurred behind — AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.

A driver's hands resting on a steering wheel in a parked car at a motorway service area car park in early evening light — AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.

WHEN SLEEPINESS IS A CONDITION

Sometimes it is
more than a late night.

The DVLA says you must tell it if you have confirmed moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome with excessive sleepiness, narcolepsy or cataplexy, or another sleep condition that has caused excessive sleepiness for at least 3 months.

You must not drive until you are free from excessive sleepiness, or your symptoms are controlled. You can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving, and your doctor can advise if you are unsure.

Questions

Questions people ask

How often should I take a break?

The Highway Code recommends a minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving, and suggests planning the stops before you set off.

When are drivers sleepiest?

The DVLA says natural sleepiness peaks between midnight and 6am and between 2pm and 4pm. The Highway Code advises avoiding long journeys between midnight and 6am.

Can I stop on the hard shoulder for a rest?

No. The Highway Code says that if you feel sleepy you should stop in a safe place, and not in an emergency area or on the hard shoulder of a motorway.

Who is most at risk of falling asleep at the wheel?

RoSPA lists young male drivers, truck drivers, company car drivers and shift workers. The DVLA highlights males aged 18 to 30 driving late at night.

Do I need to tell the DVLA about sleepiness?

Only for certain conditions, such as moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea with excessive sleepiness, narcolepsy, or a sleep condition causing excessive sleepiness for at least 3 months.

Fifteen minutes,
every two hours.