New data ranks Waterford drivers as WORST in Ireland for driving while tired

New data has ranked Waterford as the worst Irish city for driving while tired. 

That's according to Chill Insurance, which recently conducted a national study in Ireland and the UK on driver fatigue levels on a city scale. 

The study revealed over 34.2 million motorists are estimated to be driving this summer in a state comparable to being over the legal alcohol limit - all due to insufficient sleep. 

Thirty three percent of respondents reported feeling more fatigued during summer journeys and, despite feeling tired, one in three drivers say they will skip stopping to save money on fuel. 

An alarming 54% of drivers in Waterford confessed to feeling so drowsy behind the wheel that they risked falling asleep. 

This city also boasts the highest percentage of drivers who regularly operate vehicles while fatigued (54%) and those who get less than 5 hours of sleep per night (38%). 

Cork, Dublin, Galway, and Limerick follow suit, with all four cities reporting an alarming numbers of drivers falling asleep at the wheel (ranging from 41% to 48%) and often experiencing fatigue while driving (between 50% and 58%). 

Irish drivers reported feeling tired more often than UK counterparts (57% vs 42%), with 41% regularly getting fewer than five hours of sleep, quadrupling their risk of a fatigue-related accident. 

Despite these risks, over half (52%) of Irish drivers only take breaks after 4-hour long stretches, and only 34% prioritise napping when tired. 

Instead, many resort to ineffective methods like opening windows (60%), loud music (42%), sugary drinks (49%), or even talking on the phone (14%). 

How to avoid drowsy driving: 

• Break up long journeys: Plan rest stops every two hours, even if you don't feel tired initially. Get out, stretch your legs, and grab some fresh air.
• Try to avoid driving at these times: We all have times when sleepiness hits hardest. Identify your personal "drowsiness danger zones" (typically midnight to 6 am and early afternoon) and try to avoid driving during those periods.
• Prioritise sleep: A well-rested driver is a safe driver. Aim for a good night's sleep before your trip, and ideally for several nights leading up to it.
• Try not to solo drive: Travelling alone increases the risk of drowsy driving. Having a co-pilot allows you to share driving duties and keep each other alert.
• Ditch the distractions: Fiddling with the radio, air conditioning, or windows might seem like a way to stay awake, but it actually diverts your attention from the road.
• Pull over and rest instead of resorting to these tactics.