SLEEP AND ROAD ACCIDENTS

Early day motion 69, tabled 22 November 1999 by Alice Mahon (Labour). Signed by 86 members.

That this House recognises that a significant proportion of all road accidents resulting in death or serious injury is caused by sleepiness; notes the human misery caused by fatal road accidents, which cost around one million pounds each; further notes at least 1 per cent. of the United Kingdom adult population has a medical cause for sleepiness; acknowledges the Royal College of Physicians' observation that untreated sleep apnoea sufferers may have driving impairments comparable with other drivers well over the legal alcohol limit; acknowledges that sleep apnoea is readily treatable with a machine costing ú300 which lasts 10 years; welcomes the launch of the British Sleep Foundation whose aims are to increase the public and professional understanding of sleep-related disorders, to reduce the incidence of driving accidents and other health and safety problems related to insufficient sleep and untreated sleep disorders and to advocate public policy change which promotes education, research and NHS treatment; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to fully support the aims of the British Sleep Foundation.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 18, Conservative 5, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 1.