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.
In this blog, you will:
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Learn ways to prevent fatigue-related accidents
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Recognise signs and symptoms related to fatigue
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Explore how Cartrack’s technology helps mitigate these accidents
Ways to Prevent Fatigue-Related Accidents
Driver fatigue can result in dire consequences. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nigeria estimated that fatigue contributed to 0.8% of fatal road crashes.
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.
Get Sufficient Rest Before Driving
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:
- Only take naps that last for 20-30 minutes during the day to avoid disturbing your nighttime sleep cycle.
- Make sure your bedroom is at the right temperature and dark enough.
- Avoid using your phone and watching TV at least two hours before bedtime.
- Exercise regularly.
- Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillow.
- Avoid eating heavy meals, drinking caffeine, and smoking before bed.
- Have a set bedtime schedule.
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.
Take Regular Breaks During Long Drives
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.
Share Driving Responsibilities When Possible
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.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Light
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 Peak Fatigue Times
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.
Key Signs of Fatigue That Could Lead to Road Accidents
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.
Spot Physical Signs
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.
Identify Mental and Cognitive Changes
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.
Detect Risky Driving Behaviours
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.
The Role of Fleet Managers in Combating Fatigue-Related Accidents
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:
- Monitor driver hours: Fleet operators can use telematics to track and monitor driving hours. Investing in fleet management solutions will help them know which driver is on duty and for how many hours. This not only benefits businesses to comply with labour regulations, but will also ensure that drivers are not overworked.
- Enforce mandatory rest breaks: Sometimes drivers can insist on taking overtime, possibly due to financial reasons, however, managers must have rules surrounding this. They must ensure that drivers get some mandatory time off to rest.
- Plan efficient routes: Choosing quicker and less traffic-congested roads helps reduce driving hours, minimising fatigue.
How Cartrack Helps Reduce Fatigue-Related Fleet Accidents
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.
AI-Powered Cameras
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.
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
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:
- Forward Collision Warning: Alerts drivers when their vehicle gets too close to another vehicle or obstacle. This helps prevent potential collisions.
- Blind Spot Detection: Warns motorists of vehicles in their blind spots, reducing the risk of lane-changing accidents.
- Automatic Emergency Braking: Detects possible collisions and applies the brakes automatically to reduce the impact or avoid a collision altogether.
Driver ID Tags
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 Nigerian Labor Act, normal working hours are limited to 40 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.
Route Optimisation
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Driver Fatigue
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.
