Tips to avoid driver fatigue

Please note the information in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any decisions based on this article.

According to the NT Road Users' Handbook, driver fatigue is one of the top three contributors to deaths on Australian roads. In fact, research has shown that fatigue can be just as dangerous as drink driving or excessive speeding.

Fatigue is a term used to describe the feeling of being sleepy, tired or exhausted. It can lead to impaired judgement, slower reaction times and decreased ability to control a vehicle.

Important facts about fatigue

• Many people think fatigue is only a problem for long distance drives; however, it is just as relevant for short trips.
• The risk of having a fatal fatigue crash is four times greater between the hours 10pm and 6am because this is when your body is programmed to sleep (NT Road Users’ Handbook).
• After being awake for 17 hours you will be impaired to the same level as someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05, which increases your risk of having a crash by 10 times (NT Road Users’ Handbook).
• At night and, to some extent, during the afternoon, your core temperature falls and your blood pressure drops so your ability to perform tasks can be severely impaired.

Signs of driver fatigue

As you drive watch for these early warning signs of driver fatigue:

• Yawning
• Poor concentration or day dreaming
• Tired or sore eyes
• Restlessness
• Drowsiness
• Slow reactions
• Missing road signs
• Making fewer and larger steering corrections
• Having difficulty staying in the lane
• Not remembering the last few kilometres or minutes of driving

Tips to avoid driver fatigue

Sleeping is the best way to address fatigue. If you are tired, make the choice not to drive, or follow these tips to prevent fatigue:

• Plan to take regular breaks – aim for every 2 hours
• Take a walk to stretch your legs and have a drink of water to hydrate
• Share the driving if possible
• Take a 15 minute power nap if you feel drowsy
• Avoid driving for more than 8-10 hours each day

Rest areas and driver reviver locations

The Territory is a big place and so it can take a while to get from one destination to another. If you are driving long distances, you should plan to take a break every two hours to avoid driver fatigue. The NT Government have listed all of the Road Rest Stops in the NT, so if you are travelling from Darwin to Katherine, Katherine to Tennant Creek or Alice Springs, or even to the South Australian border; you can plan your stops along the way.

Disclaimer

This article has been prepared by TIO. Information contained in this article is accurate as at 31 August 2023 and may be subject to change. In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.

Any opinions expressed constitute our views at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither TIO, nor its employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy or accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in this article.