Give it a rest

The latest research from ClickMechanic, an online marketplace for car repair, has found that half of UK drivers will only stop and take a break after at least three hours of driving.

The Highway Code from the Department of Transport recommends a minimum rest of 15 minutes after every two hours of travelling to prevent feeling tired behind the wheel. However, ClickMechanic’s findings show that 48% of UK motorists will only pull over after at least three hours of driving, six per cent of whom usually do not stop at all.

Breaking this percentage down, 31% (the majority) will pause to stretch their legs every three hours, eight per cent will stop every four hours, three per cent only after four hours and a worrying six per cent claim that they do not take breaks whilst driving. As such, half of the UK’s motorists are driving for at least an hour longer than recommended, which could significantly affect the driver’s awareness on the road and increase the chances of collisions, particularly at night.

In terms of age, on average, younger motorists will break less often than their elders when driving long distance. Only 45% of those aged 18-34 will break within two hours of driving, whereas 47% of motorists aged 35-54 and 61% of those aged over 55 said the same.

Andrew Jervis, co-founder of ClickMechanic, said, ‘Whilst you may still feel fully alert after driving for a couple of hours, it is essential to take a break and refresh yourself. The chances of having an accident will sharply increase as soon as the body grows tired, so always take some time to pull over and stretch the legs when travelling long distances.’