FEW would be able to say they’ve never driven without the hint of tiredness, but it’s time to take that fatigue seriously.
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This festive season and beyond, all drivers need to be aware and alert to the fact each time they get behind the wheel they could be seconds away from a life-changing incident or accident.
Driver fatigue can happen anywhere at any time.
Fatigue or tiredness can happen on short or long trips-often drivers are tired before they get behind the wheel.
There are many factors that can contribute to tiredness such as work, physical and social activity (late nights).
Drivers and motorcyclists can avoid fatigue crashes by recognising the early warning signs:
- Yawning
- Tired eyes
- Poor concentration
- Restlessness
- Drowsiness
- Slow reactions
- Boredom
- Oversteering
Leeton Shire Council road safety officer Kym Snow said drivers needed to take care of themselves each and every time they got behind the wheel.
“If you are experiencing any of the warning signs, pull over when it’s safe to do so in a safe place like a rest area,” she said.
“Swap drivers or take a nap – 20 minutes works best – have a refreshment and walk around while taking a break from driving.
“Don’t trust your tired self. Sleep is the only way to overcome tiredness.”
Fatigue/tiredness is one of the three big killers – speed, fatigue, alcohol – on NSW roads and, not surprisingly, it’s a common factor in rural crashes.
Last year 384 people died on NSW roads and 254 lost their lives on country roads representing two thirds of the road toll.
Speed and fatigue crashes were the most common contributors involved.
“Unfortunately drivers are five times more likely to be killed in the country than in our cities and it is locals crashing on local roads,” Ms Snow said.
“More than five per cent of casualty crashes in the Leeton local government area between 2012 and 2016 involved fatigue as a contributing factor.
“With people travelling to holiday destinations or visiting family and friends over the Christmas and New Year break, drivers should plan their trip because research has shown fatigue can be as dangerous as drink driving.
“Being awake for about 17 hours has a similar effect on performance as having a blood alcohol content of 0.05.”
While once drivers were advised to “Stop, Revive, Survive” every two hours’ today the key message is to look out for the “early warning signs of fatigue” and take a break regardless of how long they have been driving.
Stopping and taking a rest is obviously also still part of the message.
The time is now for all to take note of the messages.
