DURING Bank Holiday weekends, traffic increases by 30 per cent. And because many people are making long journeys by car, it is also a time when drivers put themselves at risk from falling asleep at the wheel.

Driver tiredness acounts for up to one in 10 accidents so the Department of Transport (DfT) is advising people to plan their journeys and make time for a break every two hours.

The problem is worse than many people think. Research commissioned by the DfT found tired drivers cause up to 20 per cent of crashes on motorways and similar roads.

The risk is especially prevalent among people who drive as part of their job and men under the age of 30.

Furthermore, all drivers should be aware when making long trips that natural alertness is low between midnight and 6am.

The key THINK! campaign message is to make time for a break. So when planning a journey:

1) Stop for a 15 minute break every two hours on a long journey. Find a safe place to stop, but not on the hard shoulder.

2) Drink two cups of coffee or a high-caffeine drink.

3) Take a short nap and resume the journey 15-20 minutes later.