62% of all reported work-related fatalities are related to vehicles.Over 80% of drivers admit to driving distracted eg. eating or using phones.23% of all vehicle crashes are weather related.
Lack of sleep for 17hrs is equivalent to blood alcohol content of 0.05%.
Fatigue is a type of impairment that reduces a driver’s ability to notice, process, and correctly respond to driving-related hazards. That’s why it’s a contributing factor in so many crashes. Use our resources for employers and drivers to help assess and reduce fatigue risks.
Everyone feels fatigued at some point and driving can make things worse. A warm vehicle and the soothing motion of the drive can make you drowsy and increase your crash risks.Some drivers are behind the wheel for long periods of time and can become bored and inattentive. Others who drive for even short periods of time in high-stress situations can find themselves exhausted. In all cases, they’re at greater risk of making costly mistakes.Fatigue can affect all drivers, but several groups are at greater risk. They include:Workers on night or rotating shifts,Long-haul commercial vehicle drivers,People taking prescribed and over-the-counter medications,Young males (especially under age 26)People with sleep disorders,People under the influence of alcohol or marijuana.
Fatigue is a type of impairment that reduces a driver’s ability to notice, process, and correctly respond to driving-related hazards. That’s why it’s a contributing factor in so many crashes. Use our resources for employers and drivers to help assess and reduce fatigue risks.
Who’s at risk?
Everyone feels fatigued at some point and driving can make things worse. A warm vehicle and the soothing motion of the drive can make you drowsy and increase your crash risks.
Some drivers are behind the wheel for long periods of time and can become bored and inattentive. Others who drive for even short periods of time in high-stress situations can find themselves exhausted. In all cases, they’re at greater risk of making costly mistakes.
Fatigue can affect all drivers, but several groups are at greater risk. They include:
- Workers on night or rotating shifts
- Long-haul commercial vehicle drivers
- People taking prescribed and over-the-counter medications
- Young males (especially under age 26)
- People with sleep disorders
- People under the influence of alcohol or marijuana
Impacts, causes, and warning signs
When an employee is physically or mentally fatigued (or both), it affects their ability to safely perform their driving duties. Studies show fatigue is a factor in about 20% of crashes.
How fatigue impacts drivers
Physical fatigue is the result of activities that exhaust muscles. It may leave a driver unable to respond as quickly or effectively as they normally would. For example, a strenuous day of physical work may slow a driver’s reflexes and increase their reaction time. Mental fatigue is a more frequent concern. It often causes reduced alertness, lower attentiveness, less focus, and poor decision making. It impairs a driver’s ability to perform essential driving tasks.
Fatigue tends to hit in waves. At first, drivers may not be as alert and vigilant as usual. Then emotional capabilities are affected, leaving drivers anxious, short-tempered, or more impulsive. Then mental abilities suffer, making it hard to concentrate, remember things, or make sound decisions.
Drivers who are mentally and/or physically fatigued are:
- More likely to take risks
- More likely to forget or ignore normal checks or procedures
- Less able to absorb critical driving information and respond to it
- Less able to solve problems
- Less able to decide on the best actions to take to address a hazard, and execute the necessary responses
- Less able to judge distance, speed, and time
At any stage, fatigue can be the difference between avoiding an incident and being involved in a serious, costly crash.
Impacts, causes, and warning signs
Fatigue is a type of impairment that reduces a driver’s ability to notice, process, and correctly respond to driving-related hazards. That’s why it’s a contributing factor in so many crashes. Use our resources for employers and drivers to help assess and reduce fatigue risks.
Who’s at risk?
Everyone feels fatigued at some point and driving can make things worse. A warm vehicle and the soothing motion of the drive can make you drowsy and increase your crash risks.
Some drivers are behind the wheel for long periods of time and can become bored and inattentive. Others who drive for even short periods of time in high-stress situations can find themselves exhausted. In all cases, they’re at greater risk of making costly mistakes.
Fatigue can affect all drivers, but several groups are at greater risk. They include:
- Workers on night or rotating shifts
- Long-haul commercial vehicle drivers
- People taking prescribed and over-the-counter medications
- Young males (especially under age 26)
- People with sleep disorders
- People under the influence of alcohol or marijuana
Impacts, causes, and warning signs
When an employee is physically or mentally fatigued (or both), it affects their ability to safely perform their driving duties. Studies show fatigue is a factor in about 20% of crashes.
How fatigue impacts drivers
Physical fatigue is the result of activities that exhaust muscles. It may leave a driver unable to respond as quickly or effectively as they normally would. For example, a strenuous day of physical work may slow a driver’s reflexes and increase their reaction time. Mental fatigue is a more frequent concern. It often causes reduced alertness, lower attentiveness, less focus, and poor decision making. It impairs a driver’s ability to perform essential driving tasks.
Fatigue tends to hit in waves. At first, drivers may not be as alert and vigilant as usual. Then emotional capabilities are affected, leaving drivers anxious, short-tempered, or more impulsive. Then mental abilities suffer, making it hard to concentrate, remember things, or make sound decisions.
Drivers who are mentally and/or physically fatigued are:
- More l0pikely to take risks
- More likely to forget or ignore normal checks or procedures
- Less able to absorb critical driving information and respond to it
- Less able to solve problems
- Less able to decide on the best actions to take to address a hazard, and execute the necessary responses
- Less able to judge distance, speed, and time
At any stage, fatigue can be the difference between avoiding an incident and being involved in a serious, costly crash.
Main causes of fatigue
Inadequate sleep is one of the leading causes of fatigue. It can impair the brain as much as drinking alcohol does. Research suggests being awake for 17 to 19 hours straight makes people drive like they have a blood alcohol level of .05. Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Getting less can create a sleep debt.
Losing one hour of sleep each night for 5 nights creates a sleep debt of 5 hours. The only way to “pay off” a sleep debt is to get an equal amount of restorative sleep to make up for it.
Fatigue has many common symptoms, but it can be difficult for drivers to notice them. Watch out for:
- Feeling sleepy, drowsy, or exhausted
- Yawning
- Sore, heavy, droopy, or blood-shot eyes
- Slower than normal reflexes and reaction times
- Impatience or irritability
- Aching, stiff, or sore muscles
- Muscle cramps
- Lack of motivation
- Indecisiveness
- Daydreaming, decreased ability to focus or concentrate
source:roadsafetyatwork.ca
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