Late-night journeys and long summer drives could increase fatigue risk
Experts reveal the dangers that could come with late night World Cup matches
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With summer travel increasing and many football fans expected to stay up later for evening World Cup matches, experts are warning drivers to take fatigue seriously during periods of late-night travel and long journeys.
Research shows that response speeds can be up to 50% slower in some tests after long periods without sleep, while being awake for 17–19 hours can affect reaction times and concentration at levels comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%.
To highlight the dangers of driving while tired, we've partnered with Dr Leanne Savigar-Shaw, Associate Professor in Policing at the University of Staffordshire.
Dr Savigar-Shaw explains: “Drivers struggle to concentrate and process information when they are tired, which can lead to slower reaction times, poor speed choices and veering across the road, increasing the risk of serious collisions.”
So, whether you're driving an Audi or BMW, ensure you plan ahead for the journey home.
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Why tired driving becomes more common during summer
Long-distance journeys, warmer weather, disrupted routines and late-night travel can all contribute to driver fatigue during summer months.
Analysis by National Highways found fatigue-related deaths and serious injuries on motorways and major A roads are 59% higher during summer compared to other seasons.
Despite this, only 39% said they would stop driving due to tiredness, while nearly a third admitted they did not factor rest stops into their last long journey.
Dr Savigar-Shaw says many motorists underestimate how quickly tiredness can affect their driving ability: “Many people assume they can continue to drive safely despite being tired, particularly if they’re close to home or travelling at quieter times of night. However, fatigue affects concentration, awareness and reaction speed much earlier than many drivers realise.”
How long can someone safely stay awake before driving?
Studies have shown that after around 17–19 hours without sleep, reaction times and concentration can be affected at levels comparable to someone with a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration.
Dr Savigar-Shaw says insufficient sleep before driving can significantly increase risk, particularly for motorists travelling late at night or after long working days.
“The amount of time someone can stay awake before tiredness affects their driving varies, but having five hours of sleep or less particularly increases the risk of fatigue behind the wheel.
“Being awake for even 17 hours can impact driving behaviour, but being awake for 24 hours makes driving less safe.”
Drivers travelling after evening events, overnight shifts or long summer days may therefore be more vulnerable to fatigue-related mistakes behind the wheel.
Why common ‘quick fixes’ don’t work
Many motorists rely on short-term tricks to stay awake while driving, including loud music, fresh air or caffeine.
However, experts warn these approaches may provide only temporary stimulation rather than meaningfully reducing fatigue.
Dr Savigar-Shaw explains: “Research evidence does not support the idea that opening a window or turning music up can help drivers to stay alert at the wheel when they are tired.
“While they may produce short-term, small benefits for some drivers, they aren’t going to help a driver overcome fatigue in any meaningful way.
“Caffeine is more likely to help to improve alertness compared to opening a window or turning up music volume, but that is also only going to be a short-term fix.”
What should drivers do if they feel tired?
Recognising the early signs of fatigue is critical to staying safe on the road. Difficulty concentrating, drifting within a lane, missing road signs and frequent yawning can all indicate that a driver is becoming dangerously tired.
Ben Welham, our motoring expert, said drivers should avoid trying to “push through” tiredness, particularly on long motorway journeys or late-night drives:
“Many drivers are good at recognising the dangers of drink driving, but fatigue is often treated very differently, despite also having a major impact on concentration and reaction times.
“Planning ahead, taking proper breaks and recognising when you’re too tired to continue can make a significant difference to safety on the road.
“National Highways currently advises drivers to take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving, but if you begin feeling tired before that point, it’s important to stop somewhere safe as soon as possible.”
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