Disturbing dashcam footage has emerged showing what appears to be a lorry driver falling asleep at the wheel on one of Britain's busiest motorways, in a incident that safety experts are calling a "catastrophe waiting to happen."
The Heart-Stopping Moment on the M6
The video, captured on the M6 in the Midlands, shows a heavy goods vehicle gradually drifting from the middle lane toward the central reservation before suddenly jerking back across all three lanes. The terrifying sequence unfolded during daylight hours, with multiple vehicles forced to take evasive action to avoid a potential multi-vehicle collision.
"My heart was in my mouth," said the driver who captured the footage. "You could see it happening in slow motion - the gradual drift, the correction, then the complete loss of control. It was pure luck that nobody was seriously hurt."
A Growing Problem on UK Roads
Driver fatigue remains one of the most significant dangers on British motorways, with recent statistics showing:
- Up to 20% of accidents on major roads involve tired drivers
- Commercial vehicle drivers are particularly at risk due to demanding schedules
- The M6 corridor sees numerous fatigue-related incidents annually
Road safety campaigners have described the footage as a "wake-up call" for the haulage industry and individual drivers alike.
Expert Reaction and Safety Warnings
Transport safety specialists who reviewed the footage expressed grave concerns about the incident. "This isn't just careless driving - this is a driver who has clearly reached the point of exhaustion," explained one industry expert. "The micro-sleep episodes evident in the footage are classic signs of severe fatigue."
Police authorities in the Midlands have reiterated their warning to all drivers about the dangers of driving while tired. "If you feel sleepy, no matter how close you are to your destination, find a safe place to stop," urged a spokesperson for West Midlands Police.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that driver fatigue can affect anyone, with potentially devastating consequences for all road users.
