A TRUCKIE who tried to wake a man asleep behind the wheel of a car in the middle of the M1 near Gosford has been hailed a hero.

Truck driver Mark Nicholas almost slammed into the car on the busy motorway yesterday about 2am. He caught the frightening incident on a dash-cam.

Mr Nicholas was on his regular run up the Pacific Motorway from Sydney to Newcastle when he spotted the car just before the Gosford on-ramp.

The dash-cam footage shows Mr Nicholas heading north on the M1 when he spots what he thinks is a slow car on the road. After stopping suddenly, he realises it is a parked car and finds the driver asleep at the wheel with the engine still running and windscreen wipers on.

Concerned, Mr Nicholas checked on the man and tried to rouse him, without luck.

Mum Christine Nicholas said the situation could have been horrific if not for the quick-thinking actions of her son.

“I’m extremely proud of him. He just avoided getting hit himself and saved that young man’s life as well as other motorists on the road. It could have been so much worse,” she said.

With a speed limit in the area 110km/h, the potential for disaster was huge.

“I worry about him every night driving on that road. He drives a one-tonner but it could have been an 18-tonner approaching that car not able to stop,” said Mrs Nicholas.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene after other motorists were unable to wake the driver from his impromptu snooze, but the ambulance wasn’t needed.

A NSW Police spokesman said the man was woken by officers and subjected to a breath analysis which he passed.

According to media reports, the young driver said to be from Pymble allegedly told police he had become lost returning home from a party and that his GPS had taken him the wrong way.

NSW police Inspector Phil Brooks said it was a “lucky escape”, as he is thought to have driven 60km in that condition.

He was arrested for the purposes of obtaining a urine sample but was released without charge pending those the results of those tests.

Investigations into the incident are continuing.

M1 'lucky escape'

Call for caution: police

The shocking incident comes as police call for caution on NSW roads after four recent fatal crashes.

So far this year 79 people have died on the state’s roads, while four people died in fatal crashes last Friday and Saturday.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said all motorists needed to ensure they drove to the conditions.

“Police are calling on all motorists to ensure they drive to the conditions and use caution on the roads.

“The road toll is currently sitting at two deaths more than this time last year which is a concern for police.

“Those that continue to speed, drink or drug drive, are distracted by mobile phones, don’t wear seat belts or correct helmets, or are fatigued, are putting themselves, their passengers, and other road users at great risk.

“Pedestrians and cyclists also need to consider their obligations on the road and not put themselves in harm’s way by riding or walking distracted or against traffic signals.

“With the upcoming Easter period ahead of us, we want families to start planning their trips away in advance, to ensure they have adequate travel time and rest periods for the journey, so the break remains a relaxing one,” he said.

Operation Tortoise, the traditional Easter road safety campaign starts runs from Thursday April 2 to Monday April 6. Double demerits will be in place for speeding, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.