Fatigue is one of the most overlooked causes of road accidents. Motorists believe they are only at risk of crashing if they are distracted or are under the influence of alcohol, but exhaustion can be just as dangerous.
When drivers are drowsy, they have slower reaction times and impaired decision-making, which increases the likelihood of accidents. However, many underestimate their tiredness, leading to risky behaviours behind the wheel.
Today, we discuss ways to avoid fatigue-related accidents and explore how Cartrack solutions can help keep drivers safe.
Driver fatigue can result in dire consequences. One accident that proves this occurred in March 2020 and claimed nine lives due to a driver who allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel. The incident occurred between Touws River and De Doorns after the driver veered into the wrong lane and collided with another truck transporting farmworkers, 18 others were left seriously injured.
To avoid this situation, motorists must implement small changes to their daily routines, significantly reducing fatigue. In this section, we'll explore simple strategies to prevent these accidents from occurring.
Adults need approximately 7 to 8 hours of sleep to function optimally throughout the day. When well-rested, you are more alert, have high concentration levels, and can make better decisions. However, it’s more than just about the quantity of sleep; it's also about the quality.
Here are seven tips to help enhance your quality of sleep:
It’s important to ensure that your drivers are not showing any signs of exhaustion before they hit the road. Always plan trips ahead to allow them to get adequate rest and prepare themselves for the trip.
Sitting for extended periods can reduce blood circulation and cause backaches, leg cramps, and drowsiness. To prevent this, drivers must take short breaks every two hours, allowing them to stretch their muscles and refresh their minds.
These short breaks must be at designated rest areas, so fleet managers need to include these rest areas when planning routes. This helps drivers stay refreshed and alert throughout the journey.
Consider driving with companions to help keep you alert through conversation. If they can drive, share driving responsibilities to help reduce fatigue.
This also applies to fleet drivers; having two drivers share a long trip can significantly reduce driver fatigue. Taking turns ensures that each driver is well-rested and alert, which makes the journey safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Your eating habits contribute to road safety, especially if you spend hours behind the wheel. Choosing healthy snacks while on the road can help maintain focus and alertness. All you have to do is replace highly processed and greasy foods with nutrient-rich options for long-lasting energy.
Pack a cooler filled with fresh fruits and light snacks such as grapes, bananas, nuts, and cheese. Remember, eating behind the steering wheel can be dangerous. To minimise distractions, consume meals and snacks only during breaks and not while driving.
Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the trip. Dehydration can cause your muscles to feel tired and not function to the best of their ability due to the imbalance of salts in the body. This will ultimately affect driving ability and may result in accidents.
Avoid driving during times when your body is naturally tired and ready to sleep, such as at midnight or in the wee hours of the morning.
Fleet managers, as much as possible, plan trips during the day, since the body is naturally more alert at those times. This simple adjustment can significantly reduce the risk of accidents caused by fatigue.
Fatigue can affect one’s physical, mental, and cognitive abilities, making it difficult to respond quickly to changing conditions. Recognising the signs and symptoms can help both individual and fleet drivers significantly reduce the risk of road accidents.
A fatigued person may experience symptoms such as muscle weakness, slowed reflexes, sore muscles, headaches, blurry vision, and dizziness. If these symptoms show before your trip, it's best to delay and get the rest you need. If these signs appear while driving, take breaks and stay hydrated to maintain alertness.
Fatigue can affect your mind, meaning you might have difficulty concentrating, may be forgetful, making it harder to process what's happening on the road. If you find yourself missing exits, struggling to stay focused, or reacting more slowly than usual, your ability to make quick and safe decisions is compromised. When these signs appear, it’s crucial to pull over or switch drivers to prevent accidents.
If a motorist is drifting between lanes, tailgating, or responding slowly to traffic signals, it means they are experiencing dangerous fatigue levels. Such behaviours indicate that they are not alert, which increases the risk of accidents. If you find yourself engaging in any of these actions, you need to find a safe space to pull over and rest before continuing your drive.
While drivers are responsible for getting enough rest and following the above-mentioned tips to combat fatigue, fleet managers also play a crucial role in preventing these accidents from happening. Here’s how:
Cartrack has a wide range of products and solutions that help ensure driver safety and minimise fatigue-related accidents. Through the use of telematics and advanced technology, our systems significantly contribute to safer roads.
Our dual-vision AI camera solutions can detect signs of fatigue, such as yawning, and track the position and orientation of the driver’s head. If these events are detected, the driver will immediately receive audible in-cabin alerts, prompting them to self-correct and prevent accidents.
Fleet managers can review recorded footage to provide coaching and support. This allows them to address any violations and offer the necessary training to ensure drivers remain alert and safe on the road.
ADAS uses camera-based sensors and AI technology to enhance driver awareness and prevent accidents. This system alerts drivers to potential hazards, which improves driver safety.
Cartrack’s ADAS solutions include a variety of advanced features, such as:
A driver ID tag is a small electronic device that allows fleet managers to identify exactly which driver is operating a vehicle at any given time. This gives them complete control over their drivers and fleet by tracking vehicle usage, monitoring driver behaviour, and ensuring only authorised drivers are behind the wheel.
These tags provide automated logs of working hours, helping fleet managers comply with labour regulations and prevent driver fatigue by enforcing rest periods. According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) of South Africa, normal working hours are limited to 45 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks. Any additional hours require an overtime agreement. By monitoring working hours, driver ID tags help prevent fatigue and enhance road safety.
Cartrack’s fleet management software allows fleet operators to optimise routes. This not only ensures timely deliveries since the routes will be quicker and shorter, but it also ensures that drivers do not spend longer periods on the road.
In conclusion, fatigue is a serious yet underestimated factor in road accidents. By prioritising sufficient rest, taking regular breaks while driving, and leading a healthy lifestyle, motorists can reduce the risks of fatigue related accidents. Cartrack's advanced solutions, such as AI-powered cameras, real-time monitoring, and route optimisation play a crucial role in helping them stay safe. Using these tools can benefit both individual and fleet drivers to effectively manage fatigue and improve overall road safety.
Contact us today to explore ways Cartrack’s solutions can help you stay safe on the road.
Q: Does fatigue only affect long-distance drivers?
A: No, fatigue affects all motorists, including those who drive short distances.
Q: How do sleep disorders like sleep apnoea contribute to fatigue while driving?
A: Disorders such as sleep apnoea can disrupt sleep cycles, leading to chronic sleep deprivation. Motorists with untreated sleep disorders may feel extremely tired during the day, which affects their driving performance. This means they are more susceptible to drowsy driving accidents.
Q: Can I rely on caffeine to stay awake while driving?
A: Caffeine can temporarily increase alertness; however, it should not be relied upon as a long-term solution for managing fatigue. Once its effects wear off, your body may experience a crash, which could cause even greater fatigue. The best solution is to rest and take breaks rather than relying on stimulants.
Q: Can taking over-the-counter medications cause fatigue and affect driving?
A: Yes, many over-the-counter medications, especially those for allergies or colds, can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Motorists should read medication labels and avoid driving if the medication may impair their alertness or reaction time. It is also best to notify your fleet manager if you are on any medication that may interfere with driving.
Q: Can the weather contribute to driver fatigue?
A: Driving in harsh weather conditions such as snow, heavy rainfall, or high heat requires more concentration and can cause stress or discomfort, leading to increased fatigue.
Q: Can stress contribute to driver fatigue?
A: Yes, high levels of stress can negatively affect a person’s sleeping patterns, resulting in fatigue.
Q: Can I play loud music to increase my alertness?
A: Playing loud music can temporarily make you alert, but it is not a reliable solution to deal with fatigue.
Discover effective strategies to prevent fatigue-related accidents and learn how Cartrack’s advanced technology helps keep motorists safe.
