New Dads Urged Not To Drive Home Tired

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New Dads Urged Not To Drive Home Tired

July 11, 2012

Dads are being urged to make sure they have enough sleep before driving their new born baby home.

A recent survey by Loughborough University showed that almost 60% of new dads drove their baby home from the hospital with under 5 hours sleep in the previous two days.

The survey suggests that severe sleep deprevation can have similar effects to drink driving - potentially putting both the child and parents at risk of an accident and car insurance claim.

The research showed that 25% of the 1,000 fathers surveyed could not remember driving their baby home for the first time.

In addition to this 10% admitted that they had driven home after less than an hour's worth of sleep, increasing the risk of an accident.

Whilst 60% of respondents believe that their ability to drive would be affected by lack of sleep, 85% stated that they would make the journey again in similar circumstances.

Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University, Louise Reyner, commented:

"The excitement of being a new dad can overshadow tiredness, and it is only when things begin to settle down on the drive home, when dads may realise how sleepy they really are."

Source: http://www.bounty.com/news/sleepy-dads-driving-new-borns-home