Do your drivers take fatigue seriously?
Laura Nelson, managing director for RTITB, explains how targeted training can help combat driver fatigue
Most professional LGV/HGV or PCV drivers would never consider drink-driving. But they might not think twice about driving with fatigue. In reality, driver fatigue can be just as dangerous as drink-driving, but it isn’t treated so seriously. What can be done to address this?
According to road safety charity, Brake, an estimated 10–20 per cent of all crashes are caused by driver fatigue, and 40 per cent of sleep-related accidents involve a commercial vehicle driver. One in eight drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel.
What are some of the symptoms of fatigue that affect drivers?
Driving is a highly skilled profession that requires concentration, attention, risk assessment, good judgement, and quick decision making, amongst numerous other skills. A tired driver will have slower reaction times than usual, and experience reduced attention and awareness.
Their ability to control their vehicle when steering, maintaining speed, or using indicators and gears will also be impacted. They can also suffer with loss of memory, impaired judgement and attention, as well as reduced observational skills and vision.
Furthermore, research shows that sleep deprivation reduces activity in parts of the brain for weighing negative outcomes, which means taking risks that they normally wouldn’t. A combination of all the effects that fatigue has on driving, leads to a lethal cocktail.
If a driver has been awake for 17 hours, their driving behaviour will be the same as a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 per cent. The legal limit is 0.08 per cent BAC in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 0.05 per cent BAC in Scotland.
What does the law say about driving with fatigue?
There isn’t a specific law prohibiting fatigued driving. However, many of the associated driving behaviours could come under Careless or Dangerous Driving legislation. Fatigue related crashes are 50 per cent more likely to result in death or serious injury. In a worst-case scenario, a fatigued driver who causes death could face a maximum of 14 years in prison for Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. And, sadly, some drivers pay the price for fatigued driving with their own lives.
What causes fatigue?
There are many contributing factors to fatigue. It is not just about sleepiness. Fatigue can affect the body in various ways, and its impact can be long-term. In addition to not getting enough sleep or rest, a person’s diet, including the types of food they eat and how well hydrated they are, can lead to fatigue.
The effects of driving whilst fatigued can also affect a driver’s personal wellbeing, with issues such as depression, digestive problems, and irritability.
Fatigue can be avoided. For example, by following a balanced diet, staying hydrated throughout the day, and taking regular breaks. Some companies (including RTITB) have set break policies, which help to ensure drivers are taking the breaks they should, every two hours, or every four hours, for example. Anybody who is unable to avoid feeling fatigued should not be driving at all.
As we continue to face a driver shortage crisis, it is more important than ever to encourage drivers to take care of their health, both physically and mentally. The solution may seem that drivers need to put in longer hours, but this may make the problem worse. Poor health and fatigue can not only increase the likelihood of accidents, but also lead to more unplanned driver absences.
Addressing fatigue with targeted driver training
Clearly, fatigue can have a massive impact on the way we think and feel, which in turn will affect the way we drive. Professional lorry, bus and coach drivers must be aware of the dangers of driving tired, and remember that it can be as dangerous as drink-driving.
To bring this to the fore, we need to ensure the lines of communication are open to talk about mental and physical health with drivers. Through the right communication, drivers will become more aware of how they are feeling, pay attention to their bodies, and make the right decisions.
Covering these topics in training is one effective way that businesses can help educate drivers and embed driver health and wellbeing firmly in their culture.
One simple way to integrate this into training plans is through Driver CPC. For example, there is an RTITB Driver CPC Periodic Training module called ‘The Effects of Fatigue on Driving Behaviour’.
It explains what fatigue is, the causes and symptoms, how it affects driving behaviour, work, and personal life, and what can be done about it. The same module also addresses ‘Diet, Mood and Driving’, ‘Illnesses Affecting Drivers’ (including sleep apnoea), and ‘The Importance of Exercise’.
Members of the RTITB Master Driver Consortium have access to this, alongside a comprehensive library of 30 plus Driver CPC Periodic Training modules designed to make a measurable difference. Free 30-day trial access to the Driver CPC training material is available for non-members.
