Toolbox Talk Topic Fatigue and Driving FATIGUE The

Toolbox Talk Topic Fatigue and Driving

FATIGUE The risk, danger, and often tragic results of fatigued driving are alarming. This usually happens when a driver has not slept enough, but it can also happen because of untreated sleep disorders, medications, drinking alcohol, or shift work. When you are starting to become tired you can't concentrate properly on your driving and so you can't respond as quickly and safely as you should.

WHAT CAN CAUSE FATIGUE Research has shown that going without sleep for 17 hours has the same effect on driving ability as a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0. 05%. Going without sleep for 24 hours has the same effect as a BAC of 0. 1%. Fatigue can be caused by: • A lack of quality sleep; and • Driving when you would normally be sleeping; • Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea, a sleeping condition that causes tiredness throughout the day. It's important to remember that you can't fight sleep.

SYMPTOMS OF FATIGUE Fatigue is easy to detect, with symptoms including: • • • Yawning; Sore or heavy eyes; Slower reaction times; Finding you're daydreaming and not concentrating on your driving; driving speed creeps up or down; Impatience; Impaired driving performance such as poor gear changes; Stiffness and cramps; and Loss of motivation.

HOW FATIGUE AFFECT DRIVING Fatigue has a huge impact on your driving and can affect your ability to drive safely, similar to the effect of drink driving. Driving while tired or fatigued can result in: • Slower reaction times; • Lack of concentration, errors in calculating speed and distance are common; • Reduced vigilance; • Poor judgement; and • Nodding off – even for a few seconds can result in dire consequences.

HOW AVOID FATIGUE The only way to address fatigue is by sleeping. Follow these guidelines to help prevent fatigue: • Get a good night's sleep before heading off on a long trip; • Don't travel for more than eight to ten hours a day; • Take regular breaks – at least every two hours; • Share the driving wherever possible; • Don't travel at times when you'd usually be sleeping; and • Take a 15 minute powernap if you feel yourself becoming drowsy.

INTERESTING LINKS More on Fatigue https: //www. arrivealive. mobi/driver-fatigue Driver fatigue: why does driving make you tired? https: //www. optalert. com/driver-fatigue-why-does -driving-make-you-tired/