Driver Safety and Road Fatigue
Presenter: Warwick Miller, Heavy Vehicle Driver Trainer

This lecture involves interaction between you and the lecturer.

• What is fatigue and how does it affect performance and concentration behind the wheel?
• Statistics on road deaths resulting from fatigue as well as statistics on sleep research done in South Australia
• What are the tests to determine fatigue?
• Prevention is better than a cure
• Statistics on fatigue indicate that it causes 25% of crashes and almost 1/3 of rural single vehicle accidents
• Discussion on the common causes of fatigue which include lack of sleep, driving in the early hours of the morning, driving mid afternoon, use of drugs or alcohol, medical conditions etc.
• Fatigue is most likely to occur between midnight and 6am and everyone can suffer from fatigue and react differently
• Common effects of fatigue

1. Falling asleep
2. Slower reaction times
3. Reduced driving authority
4. Poor signaling and swerving
5. Paying less attention to traffic signs
6. Less awareness of other traffic on the road

• Warning Signs of Fatigue

1. Yawning
2. Vision blurring
3. Hallucinating
4. Lack of concentration
5. Feeling hungry or thirsty
6. Feeling stiff or cramped
7. Irrational driving speeds
8. Poor gear changing

• What is the cure for fatigue? SLEEP
• Driving under the influence of drugs or medication can cause fatigue
• Remember to STOP REVIVE SURVIVE every two hours
• Never ignore the warning signs of fatigue and stay safe on the roads