A coroner has called for a "radical" campaign about the dangers of driving while tired – saying it should be treated as seriously as drink-driving.
The call came at the inquest into the death of Toby Tweddell, who died in a pile-up caused by a Lancashire lorry driver who was suffering from an undiagnosed sleep condition.
Coroner Christopher Sumner ruled the death was an accident because the driver didn't know he had the condition – but said "such needless waste of life" could be avoided.
He said: "It is not sufficient to flash a message on a motorway illuminated sign that 'tiredness kills.' Drivers should be educated in the same manner as they are concerning drink-driving."
Web designer Mr Tweddell, 25, of Sale, Manchester, died when his Nissan Micra was crushed and eight other vehicles damaged in the smash on the M62 in August 2006.
His death from multiple injuries was one of about 300 sleep-related fatalities on Britain's roads each year.
The Merseyside inquest heard lorry driver Colin Wrighton, 54, from Clitheroe, was later diagnosed as having sleep apnoea – sufferers have their sleep constantly disrupted by having to wake up to breathe.
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The full article contains 208 words and appears in Lancashire Evening Post CTY newspaper.
