Citation

Segrott D. J. Australas. Coll. Road Saf. 2010; 21(4): 17-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Australasian College of Road Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

For a significant number of years, considerable concern has been expressed at the issue of driver fatigue, particularly among the long distance road haul industry. Whilst traditionally the main focus has been on drivers and operators, developments since 2000 have more broadly considered and ultimately led to the concept of a 'chain of command' approach. This has in turn led a number of jurisdictions to introduce, as a supplement to already existing road traffic controls, formal legislative and regulatory processes that require the development and implementation of fatigue management plans.

Naturally, there has to be a starting point for the application of these controls. With the focus of the legislation and regulation so far being primarily on the heavy vehicle industry, in NSW, this has been set at a commencement point of applying to journeys carrying freight for more than 500km and to all vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 4.5 tonnes.

According the NSW Road Traffic Authority (RTA), for the 12 months ended July 2010, 19.5% of all fatal accidents that occurred in NSW were able to be proven to have had fatigue as a major if not the primary element. Whilst strict fatigue management will have some impact on improving this element for the heavy vehicle industry, only action on the part of the general community and by persons in control of businesses will have an impact on the rest of the road users.

Driver fatigue is an issue for more than just the heavy vehicle industry and long distance truck drivers. It is an issue for every business, every time someone has to get into a vehicle and drive somewhere to do work. Every business has an obligation to identify, assess and control the risks associated with vehicle use, not just when they think about it, but all the time.