§ Viscount Montgomery of Alamein asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they consider that sleep-prevention devices should be installed in motor vehicles.
§ Baroness Miller of HendonMy Lords, we are researching the extent to which driver fatigue and sleepiness may contribute to accidents. The possible benefits of sleep-prevention devices are not yet clear. In any case, at present we know of no such devices which could be regarded as effective, reliable and safe.
§ Viscount Montgomery of AlameinMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that interesting Answer. Is she aware that the results of independent surveys seem to indicate that more accidents are caused by fatigue and sleep than by drink? If that is so, does she agree that further research is worth while? Funding might then be considered by the Department of Transport for that purpose.
§ Baroness Miller of HendonMy Lords, the department is researching that important question. I should tell noble Lords that drink-driving is a factor in 14 per cent. of all fatal accidents. The report to which my learned friend refers—I beg his pardon, I am sure he is learned in other ways—the report to which my noble friend refers compares drink-driving accidents with accidents caused as a result of being tired. The figures quoted for sleep-related accidents are much less easy to define because they rely on subjective views of possible causes of accidents. Professor Home's survey examined motorways and examples of roads restricted to Devon and Cornwall. The number of all accidents on such roads is much less than on built-up roads nationally. Thus we believe that the total number of sleep-related accidents is unlikely to rival the figure for drink-drive accidents. However, the department has commissioned a survey and is continuing to examine the research being done.
The Viscount of FalklandMy Lords, first I apologise for rising before the noble Viscount had asked his supplementary question. It must have been the coffee I had after lunch to stop me falling asleep in your Lordships' House. Is it not the case that most of us who drive a lot feel drowsy from time to time? We then seek to stop for 20 minutes for a rest. Is it not more difficult in Britain than in some other countries to have a rest because there are not the 90 places available to do so? Is that something which should be borne in mind when constructing new motorways and roads?
§ Baroness Miller of HendonMy Lords, the noble Viscount's question is interesting. We agree that it is far better to have a short rest and a cup of coffee or, better still, ensure that one is in a fit state to start the journey. On motorways one can call into a service station, but there are other options. For example, the Highway Code suggests that one can open a window a little or have two cups of non-decaffeinated black coffee—good strong stuff. They keep one going and are probably the best way to ensure that one is a good safe driver.
Lord Campbell of CroyMy Lords, is my noble friend familiar with the theory that a most effective preventer of sleep is a continuously chattering passenger? That assistance is often provided gratuitously by a spouse! Might not a simple and inexpensive recording of that chatter be used when the driver is alone?
§ Baroness Miller of HendonMy Lords, I do not know where my noble friend has been if he believes that spouses are an inexpensive anti-sleep device. I had intended answering the Question by suggesting that perhaps one needed one's mother-in-law in the car. However, it is a serious matter which needs a serious answer. As regards spouses, the noble Lord must speak for himself. My husband would not agree with him.
§ Lord Stoddart of SwindonMy Lords, does the noble Baroness agree that research shows that three major causes of accidents are drivers using their telephones, drivers trying to insert cassettes into the player, and drivers eating, all while the vehicle is in motion? If that is so, will the noble Baroness do something about those matters rather than applying a new regulation to provide for hooters or whistles in our cars to wake us up if we drop off?
§ Baroness Miller of HendonMy Lords, if the activities to which the noble Lord refers lead to a criminal offence there are already ways of dealing with them, as the noble Lord knows. Recently, a Question was asked in this House about car phones. What the noble Lord suggests is correct. As regards anti-sleep devices, we are a long way from finding any safe, effective and reliable method. It may well be that the noble Lord is right. There will be ways of dealing with the problem other than through regulations.
As I am on my feet, perhaps it is useful to say that the department is concerned to point out that before drivers set off on long journeys, they should make sure that they are fit to undertake such journeys. It is certainly true that if one is starting out early in the morning one should have had a good night's sleep, and vice versa. One should not undertake a long journey at night if one has been at work all day. To follow that advice might be much more effective than an anti-sleep device.