THE Driving Standards Agency has urged drivers to take regular breaks on their journeys over the Easter break.

The Government agency, responsible for improving driving standards and road safety, recommends that drivers should take a break of around 15 minutes every two hours.

The latest figures show that during Easter 2007, 346 people were killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads.

The agency’s chief executive, Rosemary Thew, said: “We all hope to be able to enjoy the Easter holiday period, but if you're on the roads and planning a long drive, please don't forget to take regular breaks.

"Driver fatigue is a real problem, with research suggesting that it accounts for around 15 to 20 per cent of accidents on repetitive roads such as motorways."

She added: "By taking on board our advice during your trip you can arrive at your destination feeling fresher and make a positive contribution to road safety."

The Easter break also coincides with improvements to the Highways Agency website.

A new service allows live traffic information to be accessed via a mobile phone or other portable devices.

Highways Agency director of information Denise Plumpton explained: “Planning your journey to avoid any congestion hotspots can take the stress out of the first day of the holiday so that everyone arrives at their destination happy and ready to enjoy themselves.

“Thousands of people already take advantage of our website to check the latest traffic information before they leave; now we are making that same information much easier to access when people are away from their PC too."

Key in www.highways.gov.uk/mobile on your mobile or visit highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo from your laptop or PC for traffic updates.