Road Safety Trust
CAFFNap animation
New data from the Department for Transport shows that driver fatigue was a factor in roughly 20% of road collisions in 2024. Despite this, there’s a lack of clear guidance for individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – a group of drivers who can be particularly vulnerable to sleep loss – on what to do if they feel tired behind the wheel. In an effort to help the Road Safety Trust achieve its goal of zero road deaths and serious injuries in the UK, Loughborough University experts, Professor Ashleigh Filtness and Dr. Sally Maynard, have evaluated a potential solution.
Both researchers specialise in transport, human factors, and sleep science and have investigated the effectiveness of the CaffNap. It’s a short-term solution which involves a drowsy driver pulling over, drinking a caffeinated drink and taking a 15 minute nap. It’s not a long term fix but the CaffNap has been proven to provide the best boost in an emergency, and is a way for OSA patients to combat driver sleepiness.
To help communicate their research findings, a dozen eggs was commissioned to create an animation and a series of infographics, funded by the Road Safety Trust. The campaign focuses on the dangers of driving while sleep deprived, telling the story John, a regular guy with OSA who makes one dubious (but understandable) decision which leaves him tired and sleep deprived in the morning. His fatigue ultimately puts him—and others—at risk on the road.
The central message is simple and practical: in an emergency what should someone do if they feel drowsy while driving? The recommended short-term strategy is the CaffNap; a proven method involving two cans of iced coffee followed by a 15-minute nap, helping drivers regain alertness before continuing their journey. Along side this there is also the overarching reminder to plan ahead, get the recommended amount of sleep and – don’t drive tired!
For the animation, we set the story in a familiar and realistic environment to ensure the message was relatable and immediately understood. We wanted a typical OSA sufferer to relate to, and prehaps even see themselves in the character of John. The illustration style balances clarity with accessibility, combining engaging visuals with carefully placed on-screen text to reinforce the key safety advice. The result is an informative, memorable, and visually compelling piece of communication designed to change behaviour and save lives.
