With fatigue related road fatalities on the rise, it’s important employers are aware of the dangers of fatigue and the impact it can have on employees.
New research from the NRMA quarterly index report has found 23% of Australian drivers have succumbed to a micro-sleep behind the wheel, and of these 23%, almost two-thirds (64%) said it occurred during the day. As Australia’s largest 24/7 roadside assistance network, we know a thing or two about managing our drivers and their fatigue. Here’s a snapshot of our tips to help you and your employees avoid fatigue behind the wheel:
1. Driver check-ins
- Encourage open dialogue about fatigue. Talk to your employees about how well they are recognising their level of fatigue when driving on our roads.
- Ensure your team knows when to take a break and even set scheduled rest breaks every two hours.
- Equip your team with rest stop locations along their route and promote healthy wellbeing in your workplace.
2. Fleet maintenance
- Prioritise routine and regular maintenance. The lost productivity from a vehicle sitting on the side of the road will always cost more than some preventative maintenance.
- Monitor your fleet throughout the year and ensure prestart and maintenance checks are diligently carried out and recorded.
- Take note of how the cargo is loaded into your vehicles. Cargo can be deadly if not properly secured, particularly in the cabin of the vehicle.
3. Driver self-awareness
- Be aware of your own fatigue. Can you recognise the early warning signs? Do you have a plan to rest?
- Educate yourself and your employees on the early fatigue warning signs, such as yawning, drifting and irritability.
- Warning signs can be subtle, such as feeling agitated or bored, so it’s important to be proactive when it comes to fatigue.
4. Adjusting schedules
- Consider split shifts and alternative delivery windows to avoid peak fatigue times (like 3–5pm).
- Adjust routes to reduce stress and avoid wildlife-prone periods at dawn/dusk.
5. Healthy habits on the road
- Promote water and nutritious meals to enhance alertness.
- Reinforce the importance of lunch breaks and movement for physical and cognitive recharging.
To read more about this topic and others visit our website www.mynrma.com.au/business
As one of Australia’s largest member-owned organisations, we do more than keep drivers safe on our roads. We turn up whenever help is needed and offer dependable support and peace of mind for our members, all year round.
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