DRIVERS racking up thousands of miles a year are prone to taking greater risks than other drivers take on the road, according to new research. A report by road safety organisation Brake and accident group Green Flag on safer driving, found motorists notching up more than 40,000 miles a year are more likely than other motorists to drive when tired, use a mobile phone and speed in rural areas.

The news comes after radical proposals from the Work Related Road Safety Task Group to urge key decision-makers to implement stringent risk management policies. According to the survey, four fifths of high mileage drivers' say they have driven when tired compared to 60% of all drivers. And high mileage drivers are more likely to have fallen asleep at the wheel while driving (35% compared to 14% of all other drivers).

Moreover, 6% say they have fallen asleep at the wheel more than 10 times compared to 1% of normal drivers. More than three-quarters use their mobile phones while driving, compared to just over a third of normal drivers. High mileage drivers are also more likely to say they often talk on mobile phones while driving (46% compared to 12% of all other drivers).

Only 32% want to see the use of mobile phones while driving made illegal (compared to 45% of all drivers). But they are more likely to want hand held mobile phones to be made illegal (54% compared to 43% of all drivers). In terms of speeding, high mileage drivers are more likely to say they think being an experienced driver should permit you to drive faster (26% compared to 12% of other drivers). And 58% admitted to speeding in rural areas compared to 55% of all other drivers.

A total of 40% are more likely to say they have overtaken when there was a chance they could not see what was coming compared to 28% of other drivers. They are however more likely to make sure their windows and mirrors are clear before setting off, and 49% know the correct legal requirement for tyre tread compared to 34% of all drivers. They are also more likely to have a copy of the Highway Code. High mileage drivers are also more likely to have received additional driver training (51% compared to 21% of all drivers).