A Paisley breakfast DJ is supporting a campaign highlighting the dangers of driver fatigue ahead of the festive period.
Quality Radio breakfast host Iain Rose is backing a powerful awareness project by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland.
It reminds motorists about the dangers of driving while tired and urges them to plan ahead and take appropriate measures if they are travelling long stretches to see friends and family throughout Christmas and New Year.
A recently-published report identified fatigue as a contributory factor in 17 per cent of all fatal collisions in Scotland. However, experts estimate the real figure is even higher with up to 20 per cent of all collisions involving driver fatigue.
Despite this, around one in seven drivers admit to getting behind the wheel and making journeys while feeling tired.
Advising Renfrewshire motorists, DJ Iain said: “As a breakfast presenter working early shifts, I’m used to waking up very early, so I try to plan ahead and get an early night to make sure I’m well rested before my commute to work.
“It’s important to know the dangers of getting behind the wheel tired and to remember it’s not enough to roll down your window or turn up the music if your eyes are feeling heavy.
“Make sure you stop for a rest, have a coffee and try to plan ahead as much as you can.”
The campaign stresses that sleep-related collisions are around 50 per cent more likely to result in death or serious injury due to the high-impact speeds typically involved.
Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Government cabinet secretary for transport, said: “Fatigue is a contributory factor in a significant number of collisions but too many people underestimate the risk.
“This campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while fatigued and urges drivers to plan ahead and take preventative measures. We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many.
“Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and its partners and we remain absolutely committed to working together to reach our ambitious goals.”
Ms Hyslop added: “I want to restate the Scottish Government’s unwavering commitment to achieving its goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“The driver fatigue campaign is part of a comprehensive package of measures being undertaken to help to deliver this.”
Visit roadsafety.scot/fatigue for further information.
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