§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in respect of problems induced by sleepiness in drivers. [6132]
267W
§ Mr. BowisThe first phase of our research programme into driver sleepiness was reported in September 1995 and preliminary advice issued to drivers on how to combat sleepiness. Further research is in progress into the relative effectiveness of other possible measures to ensure that the best possible advice is available to drivers on how to minimise the risk of having a sleep-related accident. This phase of the research will report next year.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission research into the extent to which drivers who fall asleep at the wheel are aware of drowsiness prior to their falling asleep. [6136]
§ Mr. BowisOur current research programme into driver sleepiness has shown that drivers are aware of feeling drowsy before falling asleep, although they may not be aware that their driving is seriously impaired.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines his Department issues to police forces in respect of collating data on the causes of road accidents with particular reference to sleepiness in drivers; and if he will provide funding into research relating to the collation of such data. [6133]
§ Mr. BowisPersonal injury road accident data are collected by the police and reported nationally using the Stats 19 accident report form. These data do not include subjective judgments on the causes of accidents.
At present, each police force has its own method of collating data on the causes of road accidents, including sleepiness; there are no national guidelines. We are midway through a research programme into the causes of accidents. This will report next year.