Grey nomads who regularly travel long distances on Outback roads will be all too well aware of the importance of taking regular breaks and of not driving while tired.
And a new report from NSW motoring organisation, the NRMA, certainly underlines the importance of making good decisions … and the potentially fatal consequences of not doing so.
The Asleep at the Wheel report included a survey of 1,870 members in NSW and the ACT and found 21% have fallen asleep or closed their eyes behind the wheel. Almost half (47%) had driven tired in the last 12 months and, of those, 20% drive tired at least once a week.
Interestingly though, the report shows that most tired trips (58%) occur during everyday driving, as opposed to long-distance driving (37%).
A frightening number of drivers admit to driving while tired. PIC: NRMA
Last year, 75 people died on NSW roads due to fatigue-related crashes, representing 21% of all fatalities. More than 40% were aged 17 to 39.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said most Australians would be shocked that over one in five road deaths was due to fatigue.
“The percentage of Australians who have fallen asleep or closed their tired eyes behind the wheel is identical to the percentage of deaths this causes on our roads,” he said. “Clearly more attention needs to be given to this dangerous behaviour.”
The NRMA says that of particular concern was the impact of drowsy driving on at-risk groups including new parents, shift workers, young driver and people with sleep disorders.
The Asleep at the Wheel report calls for:
“With both the NSW and Australian governments scheduled to hand down their budgets in the next two months the NRMA is urging extra funding be allocated to install road treatments that wake drivers up if they are drifting asleep in areas where we know there is a risk of fatigue-related crashes,” said Mr Khoury.
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