Driver fatigue
Many fatal crashes are caused by people driving when they are tired. If you feel tired, don't drive. Don't risk your life or those
of other road users.
Tips to help you avoid driver fatigue
- Get a good night's sleep before driving, preferably eight hours.
- Avoid driving during the hours when you are normally sleeping. For most people, this will be between 10 pm and 6 am.
- If you normally have a mid-afternoon nap, then you should avoid driving at that time.
- Make sure that following a period of sleep you are fully awake before driving.
- Don't drink even small amounts of alcohol. It will make the effects of fatigue much worse.
- When taking long trips, plan your journey to include rest breaks.
- Share the driving if possible.
- Snack on light, fresh foods. Avoid consuming fatty, sugary or carbohydrate-filled foods, which can make you tired.
Recognise the warning signs
Some warning signs are:
- having trouble focusing, keeping your eyes open or holding your head up
- daydreaming, wandering or disconnected thoughts, loss of memory
- yawning or rubbing your eyes repeatedly
- drifting from your lane, tailgating and missing signs or exits
- feeling restless and irritable.
Stop to revive, then drive
During long trips, take rest breaks about every two hours or every 100 kilometres.
If you start feeling sleepy:
- don't keep driving – pull over immediately in a safe place (as far off the road as possible)
- move to the passenger seat and take a 15–20 minute power nap. A short sleep is very refreshing – try not to nap for
a period longer than 40 minutes otherwise you may feel groggy and disoriented when you wake up and for quite some time afterwards
(this is called sleep inertia)
- wait at least 10 minutes to make sure that you are completely awake before you start driving again.
If you still feel sleepy don't drive, find a place to sleep for an extended period or for the night.
