Driving With Fatigue
Do you suspect that your drivers might be suffering with fatigue revealed through erratic driving showing up on your truck tracking systems? Have you witnessed the classic signs of fatigue first-hand on behalf of your employees?
Whether you have enlisted new employees or are working alongside those who have been with the company for years, fatigue-related accidents can affect everybody making it important that you and your workers understand the dangers of fatigue on the road. It is a well-known fact that fatigue can seriously affect not only workers driving abilities but also their capability to concentrate on the road and recognise the potential dangers around them.
Not only this, all drivers are struck with the fatal signs of fatigue before falling asleep at the wheel and it is their job to recognise and treat these symptoms before their manifest into a more serious incident. While many will make the decision to open a window or simply turn up the radio in order to treat their fatigue, this only works as a short-term solution. Here are a few statistics provided by the lorry lawyer that are associated with driving with fatigue: - As mentioned before, fatigue can seriously affect a drivers ability to be able to recognise and avoid potential hazards.
Not only does it significantly slow their reaction times, it may also impair their judgement and quick-fire decisions which may save their life in the case of an accident. - Fatigue while driving is a serious issue that can cause thousands of accidents per year. - Research suggests that the problem of fatigue while driving may contribute in up to 20% of road accidents and 25% of serious or even fatal road accidents. - Men are shown to be involved in as much as 85% of fatigue-related road accidents - Drivers that currently or did suffer from a sleeping disorder are 6-15 times more likely to be involved in a serious road accident -
Those who have consumed alcohol in the early afternoon to the evening can suffer from twice as many fatigue-related symptoms than any other time of day. Recognising these risks is just the first huge step to significantly reducing the number of fatigue-related accidents that occur each year. It's important to know who is most at risk from fatigue and when it may occur.
Those most at risk include young male drivers, company car drivers, and truck drivers. The issue of fatigue while driving may occur: - On long journeys - If you've had significantly less sleep than you normally would - After eating i.e. lunch - After consuming alcohol - If you're on a certain medication that lists fatigue as one of the side effects i.e. aripiprazole which may cause sleepiness and blurred vision - Following a long session of work - If you're driving during the early hours of the morning These are just a few of the factors that may contribute to fatigue.
Below we have compiled two strategies your employees can use to avoid accidents and stay safe on the road. Recognising Signs One of the main ways to help avoid driving while under the influence of fatigue is to recognise the signs immediately. Symptoms of fatigue may include drowsiness, heavy eyelids, head nods and difficulty trying to focus on the road.
By recognising these signs, your workers will be able to implement an appropriate strategy, such as a 15 minute break, in order to get some rest and diminish the risk of an accident. Information Another good way to significantly reduce the risk of an accident is to frequently update yourself with current weather reports and traffic statuses. This way your employees may be able to plan around the hazards, if possible, or select a safer, alternate route with your authorisation.