Opinion Jean Thompson, content writer at Hendy Car Store asks why is it one of the biggest killers on our roads.
What is driver fatigue? E
veryone is aware of the dangers that present themselves whenever we get behind the wheel. From weather conditions, to other drivers’ behaviour, there are so many potential hazards that we need to take into account to remain safe on the roads. But how often do you consider your tiredness levels when assessing whether or not it’s safe to drive?
Regardless of how much driving experience you have, fatigue can affect anybody, and poses a real threat to both your safety and your fellow road users’. It can be the cause of potentially fatal accidents, so it’s important to be aware of just what it is, and how it can affect us behind the wheel.
In this opinion piece, we’ll detail what driver fatigue is, who is most likely to be affected by it, and the best ways to reduce the risks associated with driving while feeling tired.
What is driver fatigue? Above: Jean Thompson, content writer at Hendy Car Store.
Driver fatigue doesn’t necessarily just come on when driving late at night, or early in the morning when you’re feeling sleepy. It can commonly affect drivers on particularly long journeys going along monotonous roads, or if you’ve been having trouble sleeping at night. Driving while fatigued can seriously inhibit our reaction time and awareness levels, which can make it harder to stay in control of the vehicle. In the most extreme cases, feeling drowsy can cause a driver to physically nod off while at the wheel, and according to one study, one in eight drivers have admitted to actually falling asleep while driving. It’s early in the morning when people are most at risk, with the same study revealing drivers are 20 times more likely to fall asleep in the car at 6am compared with 10pm.
“Around 300 people die every single year on UK roads as a result of drivers being asleep.”
This can result in high-speed crashes, since drivers are more likely to brake late, or not at all if they are asleep. Our coordination can also be affected by fatigue, which can cause drivers to swerve between lanes or make irregular speed changes. While it’s difficult to accurately measure how many accidents are caused this way, it’s estimated that around 300 people die every single year on UK roads as a result of drivers being asleep.
What factors put drivers at higher risk? Though everyone can suffer from fatigue, research suggests that some groups are more susceptible than others.
14 | May 2022 |
www.businesscar.co.uk Profession
There has been lots of media coverage during the pandemic around the dangers faced by healthcare professionals who drive to and from shifts. But these dangers can be broadened out and applied to shift workers in general, as driving at a time when you’d normally be sleeping can increase the risks.
Also, commercial drivers who spend more time behind the wheel are typically at greater risk. In fact, around 40% of crashes caused by fatigue involve drivers of commercial vehicles.
Health conditions
Health conditions can also play a part in making some people more vulnerable to fatigue at the wheel. Both for people who have a condition that directly affects their energy levels and those who may be taking medication that makes them feel drowsy, the risk is higher.
Other factors
Other factors include alcohol consumption, student status (university students typically get less sleep or have irregular sleeping patterns), and gender, with men being three times more likely to fall asleep than women.
How to avoid driver fatigue According to Rule 91 of the Highway Code, there are four recommended ways to minimise the risks associated with driving while tired: ■ Don’t begin a journey when you’re tired ■ Avoid long journeys between midnight and 6am
■ Allow time for sufficient breaks throughout your journey – taking at least 15 minutes every two hours is recommended
■ If you do feel tired, make sure to pull over in a safe spot – avoid emergency areas or hard shoulders on the motorway.
To sum up
As we’ve discussed, driver fatigue can affect anybody at any time, so it’s important to be aware of how to avoid it to best manage the risk. Signs of fatigue while driving can include constant yawning, missing turnings, or trouble focussing on the road and other vehicles around you.
You can effectively prepare for long journeys by ensuring you’re getting enough rest beforehand, and trying to eat high-energy foods where possible to fuel your body, such as bananas, chocolate and eggs. When it comes to actually driving on the road, be sure to stay hydrated and make regular rest stops. If a fellow passenger is insured, it can be helpful to take it in turns to get behind the wheel, so you can share the load and get some rest while you’re off duty.
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