The warning for anyone driving down to Cornwall this summer

The roads into Cornwall are about to fill up. Over the coming weeks thousands of holidaymakers will make the long drive down for their summer break, and plenty of them will set off overnight or before dawn to get ahead of the traffic on the A30.

That is the part that worries road safety experts. New research for National Highways shows that the quiet, early-hours driving people choose to dodge the queues lines up almost exactly with the time of day when the most fatigue-related crashes happen.

More than half of drivers in England (60%), rising to nearly three-quarters of parents (73%), expect to make longer journeys between 7pm and 7am this summer, outside their normal routine. Yet 45% admit they are not always well rested before a long drive, and only 42% plan their rest stops in advance. For a county at the end of one of the longest holiday drives in the country, that is a lot of tired drivers arriving at once.

The long drive down is the risky part

Analysis of national collision data from 2024 shows that 41% of all fatigue-related fatal and serious injury collisions on motorways and major A-roads took place between May and August. Two-thirds of those happened between 7pm and 7am, the exact window drivers pick to make holiday journeys feel easier.

Traffic on motorways and major A-roads has risen by almost 6% over the last three years, so more vehicles are sharing those roads at the busiest time of year.

The appeal of an empty road is part of the trap. Among drivers who stop less often overnight, 40% believe fewer vehicles on the road make it easier to cover longer distances without a break.

Colin Stevenson, Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways, said fatigue can affect concentration and reactions before a driver realises it.

“Whether you’re heading off on holiday, visiting family or making a long journey, make sure you are well rested and never push through tiredness. Remember to plan at least a 15-minute break for every two hours of driving, whatever time you’re on the road.”

The South West’s own drivers are the least rested in England

It is not only visitors. When National Highways asked drivers across the country how they set off, the South West came bottom on one measure. Only 37% of drivers in the region say they start a long journey feeling fully rested, the lowest proportion of anywhere in England.

On everything else the South West sits close to the national average. Just over half (53%) say they would make a long journey overnight or in the early hours, and 42% plan rest breaks beforehand.

Why you cannot trust how tired you feel

Professor John Groeger, Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, says drivers are often poor judges of their own tiredness and should not wait until they feel tired before stopping. He compares it to thirst. By the time you feel thirsty, dehydration has already started, and by the time you feel tired, fatigue may already be affecting your concentration, reactions and judgement.

He also says drivers should think about how long they have been awake, not only how long they have been driving.

“Driving is a complex task that requires sustained concentration, yet many drivers underestimate how demanding long-distance journeys can be. The danger is that people become less aware of their own declining performance. Drivers should think about more than just the miles ahead. Two hours should be the max without a break. They also need to think about how long they have been awake, the quality of their last sleep, and the time of day they are travelling. All of these can affect your ability behind the wheel.”

What National Highways wants you to do

The advice is to plan a 15-minute break at least every two hours, and to be properly rested before setting off rather than pushing through once you are on the road.

National Highways’ T.R.I.P. campaign sets out four checks before any long journey on motorways and major A-roads:

• Top-up: fuel, oil and screen wash
• Rest: plan regular stops every two hours to avoid driver fatigue
• Inspect: check tyre pressure and tread
• Prepare: have a plan for severe weather

Live traffic information for England’s motorways and major A-roads is available on the National Highways website.