Road Safety
Fatigue, Road Crashes and Teenagers
Not Drunk, Not Speeding, Just Tired
Fatigue is extreme tiredness brought about by not enough rest over a period of time whether from mental or physical exhaustion or illness. Fatigue is one of the top three contributors to fatal crashes. In 2013, 18.6% of people who died on roads were killed because of the drivers fatigue. If a driver falls asleep for just four seconds while travelling at a speed of 100 km/h the car will have gone 111 metres without a driver in control. Young drivers are one of the main groups of people that are at greater risk of being involved in crashes caused by fatigue and tiredness. So, don't trust your tired self.
How can this behaviour be improved?
Young people should be getting between 8-10 hours of sleep each night especially those who are driving. We need to educate all young people on the importance of sleep by using health promotion initiatives such as 'Don't Trust Your Tired Self'. This initiative uses videos, online tests, radio advertisements, social and mobile initiatives and advertisements on television to gets its' message across. 'Don't Trust Your Tired Self' focuses on drivers before they even get behind the wheel, as well as during their drive.
Those who live in rural areas are highly effected by crashes caused by fatigue, they have to drive longer distances to get to places like school and work. Therefore it is highly important that they know how vital sleep is to keeping our roads safe.
Those who live in rural areas are highly effected by crashes caused by fatigue, they have to drive longer distances to get to places like school and work. Therefore it is highly important that they know how vital sleep is to keeping our roads safe.