"I sometimes drive 500 miles a week, late at night" - Euro-MP Welcomes Safer Driving Campaign

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Aug 2000

Diana Wallis, Lib Dem Euro-MP for Yorkshire and the Humber, today welcomed the Government's new initiative to combat drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

Speaking at a rally yesterday organised by the T&GWU, Diana Wallis recounted her own long hours of driving around her large constituency:

"I can cover anything up to 500 miles a week just travelling around Yorkshire and the Humber, when I'm not in Brussels or Strasbourg.

"Sometimes I am travelling late at night on the way from the airport to my home, and I am well aware of how tired I am. I have often felt I could be a hazard, not only to myself, but also to other road users."

Drivers falling asleep at the wheel, according to the Government's report, may cause one in five motorway accidents. Diana Wallis MEP is particularly concerned with drivers of HGVs working excessively long hours, and, predictably, getting tired.

"Even the haulage industry itself admits that lorries are a major cause of accidents on our roads. Many of these accidents are down to lorry drivers working for too long without a break.

"Rather than interfering where it is not wanted, the European Union, through the Working Time Directive, is looking to ensure the safety of all our citizens.

"The electors of this region are my employers. When I drive beyond when I should, if I am a hazard I would expect my employers to say I should rest appropriately - not so much for my benefit, but for everyone else."