A new road safety campaign is addressing the critical issue of driving tired, with research revealing that drivers who get less than five hours of sleep are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.
The campaign, Driving Tired? Wake Up to Yourself, will be seen and heard across TV, online, radio and social media platforms.
A key element of the campaign is a confronting television ad that depicts a serious crash caused by a tired driver hitting another car carrying a mother and her young daughter.
“Determining the extent to which fatigue may be a factor in serious and fatal car crashes is challenging, but recent data suggests that 15 to 20 percent of such crashes in Tasmania involve poor decision-making, distractions, or inattention which are all common indicators of driver fatigue,” said the Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC), Scott Tilyard.
The campaign is backed by research from Monash University and the Victorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC) which found participants in an impaired driving assessment track trial were four times more likely to crash if they only had only five hours’ sleep compared to eight hours of sleep in 24 hours.
The campaign comes as Tasmania’s road toll for the year sits at 27.
Recent research conducted for the Road Safety Advisory Council revealed that a significant proportion of respondents (52%) admitted to driving tired at least occasionally in the three months prior to the survey. Among these drivers, 63% cited lack of sleep as a factor in their fatigue, 46% attributed it to long work hours or shift work, and 35% believed long drives contributed to their tiredness behind the wheel.
Younger drivers were especially likely to attribute their fatigue to lack of sleep (70%) and long work hours or shift work (58%).
Fatigue-related road deaths and serious injuries are not restricted to rural and regional roads, nor are they restricted to people driving long distances.
“Any driver can suffer tiredness, even on short trips and near home – fatigue doesn’t only set in on long journeys,” said Mr Tilyard.
“Many people are tired before they even get behind the wheel and that can be for any number of reasons – including lack of sleep, long hours at work or being a shift worker.
Tasmania’s Transport Association says there’s a strong focus on fatigue management for their members, many who work around the clock in challenging conditions.
“Our industry prioritizes driver health and fatigue management, providing education to identify the signs of fatigue and ensure there are opportunities to take breaks when needed,” said the Association’s Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Harwood.
“Unlike other road users, truck drivers must also work to regulated hours which specify minimum periods of rest – we want everyone on the road to get home safely, every day.”
All drivers are being urged to watch for the warning signs of tired driving. Early signs of fatigue include:
- Missing road signs, exits, or key landmarks;
- Slowing down or speeding up unintentionally;
- Braking too late;
- Delayed reaction times;
- Wandering thoughts;
If you are driving and notice the following, you should find a safe spot to pull over and take a short rest.
- Yawning.
- Blinking more than usual.
- Having trouble keeping your head up.
- Noticing your eyes closing for a moment or going out of focus.
- Forgetting the last few kilometres you’ve driven.
“Adequate restful sleep could save a life. We urge all Tasmanians to ensure they’re well rested before driving, as this can significantly reduce the risk of crashes and can make all the difference in preventing a tragedy,” said Mr Tilyard.
The new campaign can be viewed here:
https://youtu.be/iId-oz50tRM?si=Tvfccobmebn_2gHu
https://youtu.be/_om6h0_dVMQ?si=2jwjTUN7ynF6POkb