Driver fatigue

main causes of fatigue

Body clock, sleep factors, work factors, health factors

sleep factors

If you haven't had sleep for 17-18 hours you driving ability is the same at 0.05 BAC. Your crash risk doubles. if you crash because you aren't alert, you are likely to be held responsible

Work factors

Long working hours, study or physically tiring work affects your ability to drive

Body clock

a biological cycle that controls alertness, partly controlled by presence or absence of light. you will be safer driving in the light of day, and more at risk at night

What is micro sleep

a brief nap laying 3-5 seconds, at 100km/h the vehicle can travel well over the 100 metres in that time

What is driver fatigue

a driver's mental and physical tiredness, caused loss of alertness drowsiness, poor judgement, slower reactions, reduced driving skill and may fall asleep at the wheel

ways to reduce driver fatigue

get plenty of sleep before long trips, provide adequate time for sleep, rest and food, take regular breaks (at least every 2hrs), get fresh air into the vehicle, recognise signs of sleepiness

health factors

some health factors prevent drivers from getting good sleep, the healthier a person is, the better they will sleep, don't take stimulant drugs to stay awake

warning signs of driver fatigue

yawning, hallucinating, sore and heavy eyes, slow reaction, daydreaming, driving speed unintentionally changes, vehicle wanders