The reality of driving fatigue: Tell-tale signs you need to pull over

Like most drivers, I know that fatigue is a contributor to accidents on our roads. But until I heard about the real-life experience of a Victorian man, whose teenage daughter was killed because she fell asleep at the wheel after a poor night’s sleep, the severity of fatigue and its impact on driving ability hadn’t been fully understood.

When he told his story to a group of students at a school I worked at, it was to raise awareness about the way fatigue can impact our ability to drive and that while we often assume that it won't happen to us or anyone we know, it very easily can.

Because the reality is, the reality that he pointed out, is that regardless of age, gender, health status, or any other variable, fatigue affects us all and when it does, it affects our cognitive, physical and emotional ability. While this is unpleasant at the best of times, as this father shared, it can also be deadly.

In fact, fatigue is a major cause of crashes, particularly on regional roads, with TAC data showing tired driving contributes to 16-20% of all road crashes in Victoria alone – around 30 people die each year and up to 200 people suffer serious injuries due to these types of crashes (5-year average).

Most fatigue-related accidents happen during normal sleeping hours, and the more severe the crash, the more likely it is that the driver or drivers were fatigued.

Signs of fatigue might seem harmless if looked at in isolation, they might even be viewed as things that can be ‘overcome’ but TAC CEO, Tracey Slatter says this is far from the case.

“While listening to loud music or eating sugary snacks may feel effective initially, you can’t fight sleep,” she says.

Instead, she urges drivers who experience any sign of fatigue to pull over because by staying on the road not only do you put yourself in danger but other motorists too.

“When you drive tired, your reaction times slow, your concentration wavers, and your judgement falters,” Slatter says.

Being awake for more than 17 hours actually equates to the same level as someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 and being awake for over 24 hours, sees that level rise to 0.1, double the legal limit.

In addition to these direct effects on driving ability, if a tired driver does fall asleep for just four seconds while travelling at a speed of 100 km/h, the car will have gone 111 metres without being in control, which is why, Slatter says recognising the early signs of fatigue is absolutely critical.

“We’re urging motorists to recognise the signs of drowsiness before it’s too late… If you find yourself yawning, daydreaming, or drifting from the lane – pull over, it could save your life,” she says.

Because the only way to address fatigue is by sleeping, it is advisable at any sign of fatigue, to pull over and take a 15-minute power nap. However, if this is something that isn’t easy for you to do, or you’re not comfortable with, the best course of action is to be prepared.

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