Home Fatigue and the driver Fatigue

Crash Reduction Fortnight

MAY 18- 31, 2009

Three Southern Tasmanian councils have united in a campaign to help reduce the road toll.

The Crash Reduction Fortnight project launched Monday 18th May, 2009 is the first major initiative to be undertaken by the Road Safety South partnership between the Hobart City, Huon Valley and Kingborough Councils and the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources.

Read More


Radio Ad:

JavaScript is disabled!
To display this content, you need a JavaScript capable browser.
 

Fatigue PDF Print E-mail

Research has shown that not sleeping for more than 17 hours has an effect on driving ability the same as a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.05.  Not sleeping for 24 hours has the same effect of having a BAC of 0.10 - double the legal limit.

Driver fatigue, or tiredness, contributes to many deaths and injuries on our roads each year.

Fatigue is the major contributor to inattention, and statistics show that inattention is the cause of 21 per cent of total vehicle crashes and 13 per cent of single vehicle crashes on Tasmanian roads.   Furthermore, fatigue is a factor in around 25 per cent of casualty crashes and almost one in three severe single vehicle crashes on rural roads.

It can affect anyone – it doesn’t matter how old you are.  The main cause of driver fatigue is lack of quality sleep.

Other causes include -

  • Working long hours
  • Driving for long periods without a break
  • Heavy study, work and late night socializing
  • Physically or mentally exerting yourself
  • Tedious driving conditions, such as long straight roads
  • Drinking alcohol and/or using other drugs
  • Driving when you would normally be asleep
  • Taking some medications


Fatigue affects your driving by -

  • Slowing down your reaction times 
  • Reducing your alertness 
  • Decreasing your concentration


Once fatigue has set in there is little you can do to improve your concentration. The only thing you can do is stop and take a complete break from driving.

Prevent fatigue by-

  • Taking a ten-minute break every two hours, get out of the car, and walk around
  • Share the driving
  • Avoid driving at times that you would normally be asleep
  • Eat proper and well balanced meals, preferably at your normal meal times
  • If there is time, pull in to a safe area and have a sleep

Fatigue is only temporarily relieved by winding down the window, playing loud music, drinking coffee or taking other stimulants.

DRIVER REVIVER STOPS operate over Christmas, Easter and on most public holidays throughout Tasmania. They provide a safe place where drivers can stop for a rest break and enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.