Inter-provincial travel is now allowed in South Africa as the lockdown restrictions are steadily easing. So, many South Africans may be going on their next holiday trip soon. Long-distance and driver fatigue are a dangerous combination when keeping road safety in mind. What would be considered overtired, and what would be the signs to look out for to be safe?
What is driver fatigue?
It is very dangerous if a motorist is driving while tired or has driver fatigue. This can affect anybody who is driving long distances, working very long hours, suffers from sleep deprivation, is under a lot of stress or is ill. When a motorist starts to feel tired and exhausted while driving, it would be best for them to pull over where it’s safe to rest.
You will not necessarily suffer from driver fatigue by just travelling long distances. Sleep deprivation or a long day at work can cause driver fatigue and tiredness as well. Driver fatigue can also happen at any time of the day.
These factors could be the leading causes of driver fatigue:
- You may be working more than one job at a time.
- You may be working a night shift.
- Having to travel when already being awake for more than 15 hours.
- Getting less than 5 hours of sleep before driving.
- Constant night-time driving during the hours of midnight and 6 am.
- Being on medication that causes drowsiness.
- Driving long distances or driving for long periods.
7 most telling signs of driver fatigue
- You are struggling to keep your eyes open and to stay focused while driving.
- You are yawning a lot while driving.
- You might be missing road signs, markings and exits.
- You are drifting over various lanes.
- Your body and mind feel restless and irritable.
- You are struggling to keep your head up.
- You are unable to concentrate and daydream while driving.
If you are suffering from driver fatigue, it may severely impair your driving skills. When someone is exhausted or tired, they might feel it difficult to move their arms and legs, causing their reflexes not to be as responsive as they should. You are also less alert which puts a damper on your hand-eye co-ordination and you might drive more recklessly.
Driver fatigue affects everyone at some stage and is the leading cause of car accidents in South Africa, especially motorists who drive long distances, freight trucks, busses and taxis.
How to prevent driver fatigue?
- If you are going on a long-distance trip, plan it well in advance.
- The day before you plan to travel, catch up on some rest and don’t exhaust yourself.
- Do not travel according to your body’s downtime. This would generally be in the early hours of the morning between 1 am and 5 am.
- Do not drink or use any drugs or medication that might cause you to become drowsy before you drive. Drinking and doing drugs while driving is against South African law.
- Try not to use sleeping tablets the night before your trip.
- Make sure to take a 15-minute break to recharge after every 200 km or 2 hours.
- Stretch your legs along the way where it is safe to stop.
- Wearing the right quality sunglasses will help take strain off your eyes while driving during the day.
- Eat light snacks while driving instead of heavy meals.
- If you can, try and keep a moderate temperature in your vehicle.
- When you are not driving, make sure to rest then.
When you are driving tired, you are not just putting your own life at risk, but other motorists on the road as well. Make sure to listen to your own body when you are tired and if you can, allow someone else to drive while you rest or find a safe place to stop to get some rest. Please drive safely.
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This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Source:
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/driver-fatigue-can-be-fatal