Discovery sends warning to motorists about habit worse than drinking and driving
Poor sleep is one of the most dangerous risk factors facing South African motorists, with Discovery Insure noting that it can be more dangerous than driving above the legal limit for alcohol.
Using four years of sleep data from more than 10,000 Discovery Insure drivers, Discovery said that missing sleep over several consecutive nights is one of the strongest drivers of vehicle accident risk.
“Breathalysers can detect alcohol impairment, a visible and well-understood risk factor for accidents. Driver fatigue, by contrast, has until now been largely invisible,” said Robert Attwell, Discovery Insure CEO.
“Sleep affects concentration, reaction time and decision making, all of which directly influence driving behaviour and outcomes.
Discovery Insure’s data suggested that poor sleep is also five times more predictive of motor vehicle accident risk than traditional insurance risk factors in isolation, pointing to a major blind spot.
It added that missing sleep over several consecutive nights, known as sleep debt, has an even greater impact on accident risk.
Roughly 30% of Discovery Insure drivers accumulate some level of sleep debt while driving, with half of sleep’s overall impact on accident risk linked to chronic poor sleep rather than one isolated night.
Drivers who maintain less than an hour of sleep debt over three straight nights have up to a 36% lower accident risk than those carrying five or more hours of sleep debt. Other findings include:
Drivers who also regularly get seven to eight hours of sleep are also roughly 32% less likely to be involved in an accident than those who sleep too little.
Those who go to bed roughly one hour before their ideal bedtime each night are up to 36% less likely to have an accident than those with irregular sleep patterns.
Motorists who get adequate Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep also experience a roughly 14% lower risk of accidents.
Should have the same attention as drunk driving
While the evidence is growing, Discovery said that many drivers underestimate the dangers of driving while tired.
It said that a 2024 survey found that almost 90% of adults would avoid driving after a few drinks, but only 50% said they’d do the same after poor sleep.
Research also showed that staying awake for over 16 hours can impair driving as much as being at or above South Africa’s legal alcohol limit.
Road traffic crashes account for 1 million deaths per year, with driver fatigue contributing to around one in five road accidents.
Road crashes cost South Africa’s economy an estimated R205 billion in 2023, which was equivalent to around 2.7% of GDP.
“For years, road safety efforts have rightly focused on risks like speeding, distracted driving and drinking and driving,” said Attwell.
“Our research suggests tired driving deserves the same level of public awareness because the consequences can be just as severe.”
This data led to the creation of Vitality Drive Sleep Points, which aim to reward healthier sleep habits as part of a behaviour-based driving programme.
Discovery Insure clients who activate their Vitality Sleep Score and track their sleep with a compatible wearable device can now earn Vitality Drive points for maintaining consistent sleep.
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