Road Safety Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 151B:"After Clause 39, insert the following new clause—"    ““DRIVER FATIGUE: CONSULTATION (1)   The Secretary of State shall consult regarding the impact of driver fatigue on road safety. (2)   In undertaking such consultation, the Secretary of State shall have regard to— (a)   what measures might be introduced to mitigate driver fatigue on the basis of the latest available evidence; (b)   the impact of untreated sleep disorders on driver safety and ways of raising driver awareness of the risks presented by such conditions; and (c)   the timely provision of services through the National Health Service to treat sleep disorders. (3)   The Secretary of State shall each year place in the Library of the House of Commons and in the Library of the House of Lords information relating to the proceedings of this consultation and his response to it.”” The noble Baroness said: I shall be brief. I mentioned on Second Reading that RoSPA welcomed the proposals in the Bill for the trunk road rest areas, and I outlined some of the drivers most likely to be affected by driver fatigue. These included young male drivers, truck drivers, company car drivers and shift workers. However, I did not mention those who are affected by sleep disorders, because, I will be quite honest, I was not aware of the amount of drivers affected by such disorders. After Second Reading I was contacted by the co-ordinator of the working group on sleep disorders, and, after talking to her and to my noble friend Lord Berkeley, I am pleased to associate myself with them and move this amendment. Excessive sleepiness is a major contributor to fatal road accidents. Untreated sleep disorders are a serious problem, and are generally not recognised among the population. Indeed, an estimated 80 per cent of those suffering from such disorders do not recognise that they have a medical condition that can and should be treated, just as any other medical condition would be. Our belief is that raising awareness of this condition, and in particular the danger it creates for drivers suffering from it, must be a key part of any road safety strategy. I beg to move.