Ilford Man Falls Asleep at Wheel, Crashes Into Police Car on M11
A 38-year-old from Ilford narrowly avoided disaster after falling asleep while driving and smashing into a stationary police car on the M11 motorway late February.
Crash on the M11: Close Call for Officers
Habib ur Rehman was behind the wheel of his Honda CR-V on the southbound carriageway near Wendens Ambo, Essex, around 11.20pm on 18 February when he nodded off. His car collided with the back of a police vehicle parked for a roadside incident.
Two officers were outside the police car at the time. They just missed being hit, though one officer suffered minor injuries leaping out of the way. Rehman also sustained minor injuries and was hospitalised for treatment.
Dangerous Driving Charge and Court Punishment
On 20 March, Rehman pled guilty to dangerous driving at court. He was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. The court also ordered:
- A one-year driving ban
- An extended driving re-test
- £85 in court costs
- A £154 victim surcharge
Police Warn: Don’t Drive Tired
The police vehicle sustained serious damage. PC Edd Davidson warned that the incident is a stark reminder of the perils of driving while tired.
“This case highlights the dangers of driving tired and falling asleep at the wheel. If anyone feels tired while driving, they should pull over safely and rest. Rehman seriously endangered me and my colleagues that night. It was more luck than judgement that none of us were badly hurt.”
Stay Safe: Avoid Fatigue Behind the Wheel
Authorities continue urging drivers to recognise how deadly drowsy driving can be. Road safety experts identify fatigue as a leading cause of serious crashes. Drivers are advised to take regular breaks and avoid driving late at night when tired.
