A recent poll of British drivers saw almost a quarter of them admit that they frequently drive while tired.
Past research has indicated that tiredness has been a major factor in causing many road accidents in the past, which makes this latest survey troubling.
The survey, run by the online vehicle marketplace Exchange and Mart, surveyed 200 British motorists, half of which were male and the other half female. 24 per cent of all those quizzed admitted to frequently driving while feeling tired.
It was also found that men are more likely to drive when tired than women. 28 per cent of the men surveyed cited tiredness as their biggest distraction while driving, compared to 20 per cent of the women surveyed.
The survey also found that the thing that distracts motorists the most often while driving is adjusting features like their car’s air conditioning or radio. 63 per cent of all the motorists polled said such activities regularly distracted them. Other passengers were a common distraction for 40 per cent of respondents.
The general manager of Exchange and Mart, Jim Murray Jones, said: “Men are more prone to being distracted by eating and drinking than women, who are sidetracked by adjusting mirrors, seatbelts and seat positioning.
“Whatever the distraction, as many as 72 per cent of drivers have admitted to multitasking whilst driving and as such are putting themselves and their passengers at considerable risk.”