17 August 2002: Millions of drivers disregard high-profile campaigns warning them of the dangers of driving while tired and are not taking steps to prevent fatigue at the wheel, according to a survey by the UK road safety charity Brake and Green Flag Motoring Assistance.

A survey of 500 drivers in June and July on two of Britain's businest motorways found that one-in-four drive for more than the recommended two hours without a break.

When they do stop, 80% do so for reasons other than to take a rest (a top reason being to go to the toilet). And only 2% of drivers follow the UK's Department for Transport advice on combating tiredness, to drink a caffeinated hot drink or energy drink and have 10 minutes' snooze. The majority said they were going to take a walk, or douse their face, neither procedure which is proven to enable recovery from tiredness.

Very few recalled government advice on driver tiredness, which recommends having enough rest before setting off, taking a break every two hours, drinking caffeine and stopping and sleeping if tired. Nearly ine out of ten wrongly thought that winding down a window, or listening to loud music, would help them stay awake.

Only 22% of those driving for work said they had received advice from their employers about how to combat fatigue.