Driver Fatigue: An Accident Waiting to Happen

Driving, after being awake for 17 hours, leads to a driving ability similar to that of a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%. 20-25 hours awake leads to an ability similar to a driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.15%.

It is of no surprise then that fatigue is one of Queensland Police’s ‘fatal four’ alongside speeding, drink driving and not wearing a seat belt.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a general term used to describe the feeling of being tired, drained or exhausted. The signs of fatigue when driving are broad and include:

• Boredom;
• Changes in speed;
• Poor concentration;
• Restlessness;
• Yawning;
• Drowsiness;
• Head nodding;
• Microsleeps;
• Drifting in the lane or over lane lines.

As a driver, fatigue can result in poor judgment, a slower reaction time and decreased driving ability such as the ability to properly control the vehicle.

What impact does driver fatigue have on our region?

An increased number of Mackay residents, as part of their employment, now drive to and from our nearby mine sites. The contributory factors to fatigue place drive-in-drive-out (‘DIDO’) workers at a high risk of driver fatigue as many of the factors are relevant to their lifestyle. The contributory factors include:

• Insufficient or poor quality sleep;
• Long periods awake;
• Long commute times;
• Disruption of the daily cycle of waking ie driving when you would normally be asleep;
• Sustained mental or physical effort;
• Inadequate rest breaks;
• Stress;
• Environmental stresses such as heat, noise, vibration, climate;
• Illness or pain;
• Lifestyle/eating habits.

Research suggests that those people most at risk of a crash caused by fatigue are rural drivers, young male drivers, shift workers, those with long work hours, and commercial drivers. In Queensland, the risk of dying in a fatigue-related crash in rural areas is 13.5 times higher than in urban, built up areas.

This highlights again the high risk our DIDO workers face on our road. The impact driver fatigue has on our region is further stressed in the 2011 report of the Central Queensland Coroner relating to two separate fatal road accidents that occurred in the Central Queensland area, both involving miners driving home following work. Fatigue was found to have been a potential factor in both accidents. Of the 24 recommendations made, 19 focussed on fatigue related issues.

It is believed that fatigue contributes to 20-30% of all deaths on Australian roads and may even reach 40-50% in particular crash types such as single vehicle crashes. Unlike the other major causes of motor vehicle accident driver fatigue is difficult to detect so its full effects may be underestimated.

How can you and your family stay safe?

1. If you are feeling tired, do not begin a drive.
2. Prior to travelling you should ensure you get enough sleep. On average, most people need between 7-9 hours per night.
3. After a full day’s work you should avoid driving. The risk of an accident increases with the length of your shift. The risk generated by two 12 hour shifts is comparable to the risk of six 8 hour shifts.
4. Be aware of the potential effects of any medication you are taking as some may cause drowsiness.

If you notice any of the signs of fatigue there are a number of strategies which may help:

• Take frequent breaks, a rest break every 2 hours is best;
• Stop for a short 10-20 min nap.

Ensure you allow time to recover from your sleep before continuing;

• Have a caffeinated beverage;
• Share the driving with other people.

As fatigue is difficult to detect and enforce, it is up to the individual to ensure that they are not driving whilst fatigued. The warning signs of fatigue should not be ignored as you have a limited ability to predict when you will fall asleep. Research is being conducted into ways of monitoring and detecting fatigue amongst drivers, with car manufacturers now introducing technology that is able to warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness.

This technology is also able to tell the driver how long it has been since they last had a rest break. The outcomes of accidents resulting from fatigue are often devastating as fatigued drivers make no attempt to avoid or prevent the crash from occurring. Driver fatigue is particularly dangerous as it affects not only DIDO workers but everyone in our community.