Third of lorry drivers admit dozing at wheel

Almost one in three lorry drivers have admitted falling asleep at the wheel, mainly because of long working days or disturbed sleep, a study reveals.

A survey of 3,200 HGV drivers found they were most likely to feel tired or drowsy if they had slept in their vehicles at the side of the road or in a service station car park.

The Unite union said its research showed the need for an increase in decent truck stop facilities.

Adrian Jones, a Unite national officer, said: “People’s lives are being put at risk due to a lack of welfare facilities and workers being forced to work excessive hours.”