Driver Fatigue Detection Systems Are the Best to Keep Your Drivers Safe: Get All the Answers from Cartrack

A fatigue detection system for your vehicle is the use of cameras and AI-powered tools to recognise when a driver is tired or distracted. This system monitors drivers in real time, sending visual and audible warning alerts when the AI part of the system detects early signs of exhaustion.

The best ways to deal with driver fatigue are to:

• Implement AI-powered dashcams to monitor and manage driver fatigue

• Have solid company policies that encourage regular breaks and rest

• Encourage your drivers to get a full night’s rest

• Encourage drivers to eat healthily & lightly, and remain hydrated during trips

• Remind drivers to pull over at a designated rest stop if necessary

No, driver fatigue isn’t the main reason for road accidents, but it’s certainly one of the primary contributing factors. Speeding, driving under the influence, and distracted driving rank among the top reasons in South Africa. Fatigue is considered one of the most dangerous influencing factors because it’s often overlooked and underestimated.

The driver fatigue systems that Cartrack offers for trucks and vehicles are ADAS and AI dashcams (like AI Multi Vision). Our ADAS cameras assist with collision warnings, while our AI-powered dashcams detect distracted or fatigued driving (smoking, phone use, yawning, and more).

As a driver, you can detect that you’re struggling with fatigue if you:

• Are consistently yawning

• Feel that your eyes are heavy

• Constantly shifting in your seat, opening the window, or turning the music up to keep yourself alert

• Are unable to focus and find yourself zoning out or blinking uncontrollably

The causes of fatigue are:

• Not getting enough sleep before the trip

• Diet, like eating heavily or consuming too much alcohol. This can make a driver sluggish and cause their bodies to crash

• Long and tedious drives, especially for long-haul or night-shift drivers

• Poorly planned work schedules

• Natural body cycles, i.e., the body naturally getting tired in the evenings

To prevent accidents with fleet alerts that stop drivers from driving when they’re too tired, you should implement AI-powered driver monitoring systems with audible and visual alerts. When instant alerts are triggered, both you and the driver get notifications for them. This gives you the time to react quickly and accordingly.

The other alerts that Cartrack offers for driver alerts include:

• Collision alerts

• Task completion notifications

• Panic button alerts

• Alerts for cargo door and cargo bay temperature changes

Cartrack’s AI system for driver alerts can cost anywhere between R199 and R1,049 per month. This depends on the camera system you choose, the tracking package you potentially opt for, and your choice of the number of cameras (i.e., opting for all 8 cameras with Multi Vision).

To not fall asleep during the night while driving for many hours, your driver should:

• Take regular breaks and ensure they’re stretching their legs

• Stop at a designated rest stop if a nap or extended break is needed

• Keep their bodies stimulated by keeping the vehicle’s temperature cool

• Keep the mind stimulated by listening to upbeat music or a light audiobook

Yes, route optimisation can help shorten trips, which can help prevent tired drivers. The point of route optimisation is not only to find the fastest routes, but also the routes that account for real-world interruptions, like traffic, weather, or roadworks. This minimises pressure on your drivers, helping manage fatigue and keeping everyone safe.

It’s suggested that drivers should stop at least every 2 hours when driving long distances. A fleet management system can help with this by keeping automated & detailed logs of trip histories, ensuring routes are dynamically optimised, giving instant notifications, and providing alerts based on events. You can set up alerts for breaks or schedule stops into the driver’s journey.