Safety tips for contract car hire drivers

Contract car hire drivers have been reminded of the importance of staying alert on the road and keeping a safe following distance, especially when travelling at speed.

Sandra Dodson, deputy chief driving examiner at the Driving Standards Agency, said tired drivers have slower reactions, which can be especially dangerous if they follow other cars too closely.

She noted at 70mph the distance is very important. If an alert driver sees brake lights about 400m in the distance, they can start to react.

"But if you're dropping off, you might not see it at that distance. So the question is at what point would you be able to react [to what you saw]?" Ms Dodson asked.

Her advice to tired drivers is to stop for a break when they feel they are not alert enough to carry on driving.

Pull over somewhere safe, have a sugary snack and stretch your legs, Ms Dodson suggested.

Road safety charity Brake last week said a quarter of drivers have risked their lives and those of their fellow road users by getting behind the wheel when they felt drowsy.

Posted by Matthew Painter