Driver fatigue

Driver fatigue

Updated: 30 November 2009

Being an alert driver is an essential part of being a safe driver. If you drive when fatigued - tired, weary, exhausted or jetlagged - you increase your chances of having a crash. That's because fatigue slows your reflexes and affects your ability to concentrate and make good decisions, like decisions about the speed you're travelling. Fatigued drivers tend to crash at full speed - and we know from statistics, that the higher the speed, the higher the risk of death or injury in a crash.

Driving when fatigued has similar effects on your skills as driving after drinking alcohol. In 2008 driver fatigue was a contributing factor in:

11 percent of all road deaths
8 percent of all reported serious injuries from road crashes
5 percent of all reported minor injuries from road crashes.

You may be suffering from driver fatigue

...if you:

have trouble focusing, keeping your eyes open or holding your head up
are daydreaming, having wandering or disconnected thoughts, loss of memory
are yawning or rubbing your eyes repeatedly
are drifting from your lane, tailgating and missing signs or exits
are feeling restless and irritable
have recently undertaken long distance air travel.

Tips to help you avoid driver fatigue

Get a good night's sleep before driving, preferably eight hours.
Avoid driving during the hours when you would normally be sleeping. For most people, this will be between 10 pm and 6 am.
If you normally have a mid-afternoon nap, then you should avoid driving at that time.
Make sure you are fully awake before driving following a period of sleep.
Share the driving when possible.
Don't drink even small amounts of alcohol. It will make the effects of fatigue much worse.
When taking long trips, plan your journey to include rest breaks.
Ensure you get plenty of fresh air.
Snack on light, fresh foods. Avoid consuming fatty, sugary or carbohydrate-filled foods, which can make you feel tired.
If possible, avoid driving for several days following long distance air travel. Jetlag can creep up on you and you may not even feel tired.
Take a friend with you on your travel who will help you stay awake.