A ROAD safety group has warned East Lancashire motorists not to drive while they are tired over the festive period.

The Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety said that fatigue not only has fatal consequences but it could result in prison sentences.

The driver who caused the Selby rail crash last year was imprisoned on 10 counts of death by dangerous driving after falling asleep at the wheel.

Government figures have revealed that falling asleep at the wheel accounts for 10 per cent of all road accidents and up to 20 per cent of motorway collisions.

The group is a partnership between the county council, the police and other organisations.

County Councillor Nora Ward, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation said: "Many people will be out and about visiting relatives over the Christmas

period and we want to prevent the tragedies that can happen all to easily."

The Road Safety Group's key safety points are:

Never start a journey if you are already feeling sleepy.

Avoid making long trips between midnight and 6am when natural alertness is low.

Plan to stop for a 15-minute break every 2 hours on a long journey.

If you start to feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop (not on the hard shoulder.)

Drink a cup or two of strong coffee, take a short nap and resume your journey 15-20 minutes later.

Remember that opening the window or turning up the radio will not stop you falling asleep at the wheel.