Driving Safety

Fatigue and driving

It is believed that 20 to 30 per cent of all car crashes in Australia are attributable to fatigue.

Fatigue can reduce attentiveness, slow a driver's reaction times and affect judgement – all of which can result in catastrophic consequences. In fact, research has shown after 17-19 hours without sleep, driver performance is equivalent to or worse than having a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.05 per cent.

Your decision making skills, and reflex times both take a hit when you're fatigued. This presents a significant safety issue particularly due to the large distances you'll cover on your training runs.

Before you drive:

• Get a good night’s sleep
• Avoid driving at night when your body will naturally want to sleep
• Avoid long drives after work
• Plan to take regular breaks from driving (use rest areas)
• Find out if any medicine you are taking may affect your driving
• Know what the early warning signs of fatigue are

If you feel tired when driving:

• Pull over for a break in a safe place
• Pull over for a nap (20 minutes works best)
• Stop for a coffee if you’re on a short drive, although the effects of caffeine won't help for long and won't work for everyone. Caffeine is not suitable for some people and can be harmful. Limits on the daily consumption of caffeine are recommended.
• Even if you don’t feel tired, take regular breaks to avoid becoming tired

Sleep is only cure

Remember that sleep is the only way to overcome tiredness.

If you don't feel comfortable with a drive or are beginning to feel fatigued, do not press on. Instead, call Management or the office and inform them of such. We will delay the course for you if required.

It's not worth the risk.

Q: You start to feel tired before a 1 hour drive. What should you do?

The Role of the Examiner

Checking The Car

In addition to ensuring you have the correct type and amount of equipment to run the course, you should also ensure that the car you are taking is left in good condition.

This includes

• Removal of any rubbish
• Removal of personal items such as phones, glasses etc
• Taking note and informing management of any car defects/problems

Other staff will have to use the same car, so please keep it tidy and in a good working condition.

Q: What constitutes a 'good car condition'?

Fatigue - early warning signs.

Drivers can avoid fatigue crashes by recognising the early warning signs:

• Yawning
• Poor concentration
• Sore/tired eyes
• Restlessness
• Drowsiness
• Slow reactions
• Boredom
• Oversteering

Don't wait for a microsleep – by then it's too late. Pull over and stop when it is safe to do so, as soon as you experience any of these warning signs. Have a nap (20 minutes works best) or stop for a coffee if you are on a short trip (but remember caffeine won't help for long and doesn't work for everyone).

If you experience any of the above symptoms during a drive, pull over when it is safe to do so, call Management and get some rest.

Q: What do you do if you yawn, have sore eyes and poor concentration whilst driving?

Completing the vehicle inspection checklist

Boating Licence Course has created a 'Vehicle Inspection Checklist' for staff whom drive company vehicles.

It has been designed to assist Boating Licence Course prevent issues that can otherwise detract from our staffs safety whilst on the road.

The checklist includes the checking of:

• Lights,
• Brakes and warnings,
• Interior and exteriors,
• Tyres, and more.

Staff who operate company vehicles will need to complete the 'Vehicle Inspection Checklist' prior to every run that they do, regardless of the length of that run.

The 'Vehicle Inspection Checklist' can be found in the office, and must be submitted to Management prior to operation of the vehicle.

Q: How often should you complete the 'Vehicle Inspection Checklist'?