3 December 2010
Crashes in the Waipa district caused by fatigued drivers have been up to three per cent higher than the national average in the past five years.
National figures suggest about 13 per cent of fatal and serious injury crashes have fatigue as a factor. However, in the past five years the Waipa district has been as high as 16 per cent. In Waipa it is generally male drivers who are involved in fatigue-related crashes.
Waipa’s road safety coordinator Megan Jolly says tiredness before Christmas can literally be a “killer” and pre-trip planning to minimise driver fatigue is an essential part of any Christmas holiday plan.
Ms Jolly said there are several things people should plan before they set out on their journey. The most important was to catch up on lost sleep.
“It’s essential that drivers don’t start a journey when they are lacking sleep. Catch up with at least one, but preferably two nights of at least eight hours uninterrupted sleep.”
Ms Jolly said more crashes involving tired drivers occur between 3am and 6am because it is when the body is programmed to sleep. It was important to consider what time you started your journey, she said. Research showed that physical and mental performance was also at its worst between 3pm and 5pm.
Guidelines for managing driver fatigue suggest that drivers should stop every two hours for a break to help maintain their concentration.
“If you find yourself driving tired the best thing to do is swap drivers, if you can, or pull over and have a 10 to 20 minute nap.
“Don’t ignore signs of tiredness such as yawning, blinking frequently, wandering thoughts and forgetting the last few kilometres of your drive. Passengers also have a part to play. Keep an eye on your driver and insist on regular breaks.”
For more information, please contact:
Jacqui Humm.
Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760.
Email: jacqui.humm@waipadc.govt.nz