Emergency services across the UK responded to 15,836 incidents linked to sleep deprivation between 2020 and 2025, according to newly released figures.
The findings, obtained by sleep retailer MattressNextDay through Freedom of Information requests, show that both police and fire services are dealing with the ongoing consequences of poor sleep among the public, including fires, accidents and road incidents.
With the approach of darker mornings and earlier sunsets, experts warn that the seasonal shift into autumn brings an increased risk of accidents related to fatigue. The warning comes alongside a dramatic increase in online searches, with interest in the phrase “why does driving make you tired” rising by 5,000 percent in the past month.
Thousands of Emergency Callouts Linked to Sleep
According to the data, police forces recorded 8,985 incidents involving sleep deprivation between 2020 and 2025, while fire and rescue services dealt with 6,851 such emergencies.
That equates to almost 60 sleep-related incidents each week since 2020, or roughly one every two and a half hours.
Among police forces, Hertfordshire Police reported the highest number of sleep-related incidents at 2,687, followed by Cambridgeshire Police (1,515) and Leicestershire Police (880).
The most affected fire and rescue service was South Yorkshire, which attended 733 fatigue-related fires in the same period. Cooking appliances were the leading cause, followed by incidents involving smoking.
Greater Manchester’s police and fire services also featured in the top 10 for fatigue-related incidents, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.
Fires and Fatigue: A Dangerous Mix
Many of the fire service incidents stemmed from people falling asleep while cooking or smoking. In South Yorkshire alone, 178 sleep-related fires involved kitchen appliances and 41 involved smoking materials.
Emergency services in Devon, Merseyside, County Durham and West Yorkshire also responded to hundreds of similar callouts over the past five years.
MattressNextDay’s analysis, based on Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency data, suggests a correlation between high accident rates and regions with more drivers affected by sleep-related conditions. Hertfordshire, for example, has the 14th highest number of such drivers, at 3,649.
The Toll on Drivers
Road incidents were particularly prevalent. In Leicestershire, 564 of the 880 recorded incidents were traffic offences. A further 126 resulted in serious injury, and 72 were fatal.
In Cambridgeshire, 2024 marked the highest year on record for fatigue-related road incidents, with 310 police callouts. That same year saw a 27 percent rise in similar incidents in Hertfordshire.
With early-morning and late-afternoon driving already associated with natural dips in alertness, the data suggests a worrying trend as shorter daylight hours increase fatigue-related risks.
Expert Advice on Staying Safe
Martin Seeley, a senior sleep expert at MattressNextDay, said fatigue-related accidents were a direct result of poor sleep routines, especially during seasonal transitions.
“The average Brit incurs 32 hours of sleep debt a month,” he said, referring to the amount of sleep someone needs compared to what they actually get. This, he said, could dramatically raise the risk of accidents, especially during “low circadian points of 2-6 am and 2-4 pm”.
Seeley recommended maintaining consistent sleep and wake times — even at weekends — and being alert to early signs of tiredness, such as frequent yawning, trouble concentrating or slow blinking.
“If you notice yourself frequently yawning, having difficulty focusing, or micronapping — blinking longer than usual — stop what you’re doing immediately,” he said.
What Employers Can Do to Help
Fatigue is not just a personal health issue. In workplace contexts, it can pose safety risks, reduce productivity and increase absenteeism. Experts say employers should take seasonal fatigue seriously and adopt proactive wellbeing policies. These might include:
Promoting sleep hygiene education: Provide information on healthy sleep routines and the effects of sleep deprivation on mental and physical health.
Encouraging flexible schedules: Allow employees to start later during darker mornings or after late shifts to help reduce fatigue.
Offering rest facilities: In sectors such as healthcare, transport or logistics, designated nap areas can help staff manage tiredness safely.
Raising awareness of risk factors: Particularly for those driving or operating machinery, regular fatigue training and reminders about alertness can improve safety.
Embedding seasonal wellbeing into strategy: Acknowledge seasonal risks, such as darker mornings and increased stress, and align mental health and safety resources accordingly.