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GARDAÍ HAVE WARNED motorists to not drive while tired after a driver crashed their car in Waterford.
The person fell asleep at the wheel over the weekend, but luckily escaped injury.
Gardaí shared a photo from the scene of the collision, warning drivers to “park in a safe place and take a nap” if tired.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie this morning, a Garda spokesperson confirmed no injuries were sustained in the collision.
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There needs to be a larger realisation on drivers that driving is a responsibility and a privilege. Put away the phones, obey all rules, do not drive whilst tired/drunk/high, park only where permitted. Cars kill, if you can’t do it properly don’t do it. Whoever was driving this car could have easily killed someone.
We rarely hear about the factors contributing to crashes when they happen. If we knew soon after the event it may change drivers’ attitudes. However, we get grouped statistics every few months and people don’t connect their actions with the data.
It is those “a to b” drivers that are the problem. They have no interest on either improving their driving or the consideration of other drivers when doing something stupid
Never listen to Pat Kenny when driving it is not safe!
@Joe Hill: Never listen to Pat Kenny, even better advice.
If someone needs telling not to drive whilst tired they shouldn’t be on the road in the first place .
While coming back on the N7 a car on the outside Lane took a huge wobble and went across the three lanes before regaining control he had just got past a line of cars and the lanes were free of cars ahead of him I would say he fell asleep I think it may have been the passenger in the front seat who took the wheel got the car back under control before he hit any car it was very frightening to watch it happen.
Unfortunately this message will never really carry too far and with housing and employment policy seemingly fully committed to turning us into a commuting country it’s only going to get worse. Trying to convince someone who has just worked a long night shift miles from home to extend their working day even further instead of attempting to drive is going to be a futile exercise in the majority of cases. Strangely enough it’s the gardaí themselves who are probably one of the most at risk groups given their shifts and distance rules.
Only technology will save us. Driverless cars, on-board lane-change warnings and other failsafe systems should steadily become standard over the next decade or two.
take a beak have a strong coffee
Why should birds suffer?
This is one reason I find speed entrapment so unfair. There are so many factors involved in road incidents from fatigue, drugs, distraction, mechanical failure, inexperience…and yet they hide and wait for motorists in spots where speed limits drop and catch them a few km/h over the limit, not even getting most of the guys who are well over the limit. Leaving a van with film running and clocking up countless drivers is so much easier to generate revenue than trying to tackle the whole road safety issue.
Gave myself an awful shock like this a few months ago. About an hour from home, I was so tired it hurt, know I had to stop. Pulled over said I’d take a 10mon nap, which I did in drivers seat. Woke up about 10 fitful minutes later with wheel in my hands for about half a second convinced I had fallen asleep. Horrible feeling woke me right up.
The headline would lead one to believe this was a once off incident.
I myself have fallen asleep at the wheel, having just finished a night shift. It’s absolutely terrifying, and I’m so fortunate and grateful that I don’t have blood on my hands as a result. Pull in, have a strong coffee, and get 15-20 mins sleep, minimum. On a side note, I’d you’re tired driving especially on dual carriageway/motorway, don’t pull in on the hard shoulder, get to a lay by or get off the motorway at the nearest exit. Can’t believe people think they’re safe on the hard shoulder.
Unfortunately some of us work 12 hour night shifts and are knackered on the way home. Should be banned.
If I’m correct that’s right on the Quay, a busy thoroughfare with a lot of pedestrian traffic.
@Sam Palmer: not correct. Less than 1km past the bridge on the Kilkenny side, towards the Dublin road. Little or no pedestrians, but lucky escape all the same.
@Paul:
Cheers.
sallypark
I only ever fall asleep when some idiot up front is driving 40 on a100 road for 30 km! Seriously, did it twice! I learned my lesson, speed and overtake, it’s the only thing to keep you alert!
Red bull gives you wings
Keep the heating down low and a window open a little . This can make people tired quicker
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