Driving tired can kill. Fatigue is not something that only happens on long distance journeys, although as a visitor you need to be aware of the link between the vast distances, often on long, straight roads, the long hours spent driving and fatigue-related crashes.
Take a short break every two hours and a longer one after four hours of driving.
Drivers are most at risk between 1.00 am and 6.00 am when their alertness is low. If you feel you are getting tired, stop immediately and take a break, have a nap and stretch.
If you have not had sleep for 17-18 hours, your ability to drive is the same as if you had a BAC of 0.05%, meaning your crash risk doubles.
Warning signs of driver fatigue:
- Your eyes start to feel sore and tired
- You start to daydream and not concentrate on your driving
- Your vehicle wanders over the road
- Your reactions seem slow
- Your driving speed increases and decreases unintentionally
- Yawning
Stop immediately and take a break
Ways to reduce driver fatigue:
- Get plenty of sleep before you start driving on long trips (7 ½ hours sleep is generally recognised as average sleep.)
- Provide adequate time for sleep, rest and food during long trips
- Take regular breaks (at least every two hours) to walk and have a stretch
- Get fresh air into the vehicle (smoke and stale air can contribute to drowsiness)
- Learn to recognise the signs of sleepiness and pull over as soon as possible for a short break
Participating roadhouses provide a free coffee to the driver in efforts to reduce fatigue-related crashes on WA roads. There are currently 52 Coffee Stops throughout the state.
Driver Reviver stations encourage drivers to stop, take a break and have a free tea, coffee, cordial and biscuits. Driver Reviver stations mostly operate over Easter and Christmas holidays when there are more cars on the road.
You can also click here for maps of rest areas and roadside amenities around the state.
