Drivers could soon face on-the-spot tests which check whether they are too tired to be be on the road.
Researchers think such tech — similar to breathalyzers used to catch drink-drivers — might be just five years away.
Blood tests could be ready even quicker, raising the prospect of drivers who’ve been taken to hospital after a crash being tested for sleep deprivation at the same time as booze and drugs.
Experts say now is the time to crackdown on drowsy-driving, with fatigue blamed for thousands of accidents ever year.
Getting behind the wheel after less than five hours of sleep can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated or high on drugs, research suggests.
Ministers aren’t currently considering adopting the state-of-the-art technology in the UK.
However, Department for Transport (DfT) bosses insisted that it will ‘always note new ideas to make our roads safer’.
Tests to spot drowsy-driving — once proven accurate — could help to finally legislate against tired drivers who have caused crashes.
No laws currently exist in Britain to ban drowsy-driving.
But a tired driver who kills someone can be charged with death by dangerous driving or death by careless driving.
