Citation

Gunatillake T, Daly P, Anderson N. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2003; 7(1): 9-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a recent survey aimed at exploring public perceptions of fatigue and rest taking amongst Victorian motorists. RACV commissioned an independent market research specialist to explore motorist's opinions of rest areas and rest taking. The survey participants were asked to identify the extent to which they utilise these rest areas, which facilities they find most useful and those which they find lacking. The broader aims of the research were to determine the extent to which Victorians incorporate rest areas into their trip planning and what actions they take to avoid or manage driver fatigue. The vast majority of respondents say that they take regular breaks when travelling on long distance trips. Approximately half of the sample claim to travel on trips where they plan their rest breaks beforehand and a small proportion claim to select their routes based on the rest areas available. The survey also showed that driver age, trip purpose and the presence of passengers were all important factors in determining rest-taking behaviours.