Fatigue message a yawn for Queensland drivers?
22/01/2010
NRMA Insurance is urging Queensland drivers heading away this Australia Day weekend to wake up to fatigue warnings after research revealed two out of three sometimes drive while tired*.
he NRMA Insurance survey of 500 Queensland drivers found men were most likely to risk fatigue with more than 70 per cent confessing to driving while tired and more than 80 per cent driving for longer than two hours during the past 12 months.
However, the research found many female drivers also ignored tips to ward off fatigue.
Nearly 60 per cent had hit the road while tired and more than 55 per cent had driven for longer than two hours.
NRMA Insurance spokesperson Frank Adler said it was important all drivers were both awake and alert before getting in the car, particularly on long trips.
“A lot of us are probably keen to reach our destinations, especially if we’re heading away for long weekends. But, unfortunately, around one in eight deaths on our road still involve fatigue**,” he said.
“Too many of us appear to be driving while tired or avoiding breaks every two hours – and that means too many of us are taking big risks on the road.
“It’s important to allow plenty of time for the trip, and if you’re restless or yawning, pull over for a break.”
Mr Adler said those driving between 10pm and dawn, when we normally sleep, were more likely to be involved in a fatigue-related collision.
“Driver fatigue is not just influenced by how long someone has been at the wheel, but also by the time of day or night and how rested a driver is before they start out,” he said.
To reduce the risk of driver fatigue:
- Make sure you are well rested before starting your trip;
- Take a break from driving at least every 2 hours;
- Don’t drive when you would normally be asleep;
- Include an overnight stop on long trips;
- Where possible, plan to share the driving.
* Based on research carried out by Pure Profile for NRMA Insurance, September 2009.
** Queensland Transport, Queensland Road Toll 2008-09