Take a break this Queen's Birthday long weekend
Many Australian families will hit the road this Queen's Birthday long weekend and leading motor vehicle insurer AAMI is urging drivers to take regular breaks to help ensure they arrive safely.
The call comes as new research1 reveals one in every four Australian drivers (24%) admits they have momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel.
AAMI spokesperson Mike Sopinski said this was an alarming statistic which highlighted the importance of taking regular rest breaks when driving long distances.
"Fatigue can be a significant issue when driving over long periods, or driving after a long day or week at work. AAMI's research found that one in 10 people (9%) who have been involved in a motor vehicle accident listed fatigue as a contributing factor," Mr Sopinski said.
"It is concerning to find that one-quarter of Australian drivers (24%) say they would be unlikely to stop for a break when on the road, even if they were feeling tired."
The research shows younger, less experienced drivers are the least likely to stop driving when fatigued, with 38% of drivers aged 18 to 24 and 35% of drivers aged 25 to 34 saying they weren't likely to take a rest break.
"People driving when tired or driving over long distances without sufficient breaks are putting themselves and other road users at risk. Yet half of all drivers nationally (49%) say they are willing to drive for three or more hours without stopping for a break.
"One in every 12 drivers (8%) admits they are willing to take the risk of driving for more than four hours straight."
To help combat fatigue, Mr Sopinski recommends planning ahead for a long road trip by getting a good night's sleep before setting out, allowing plenty of time to reach your destination, sharing the driving when possible, and scheduling regular rest breaks along the way.
"It's also important to pay attention to signs you are becoming tired when behind the wheel, such as yawning, sore or heavy eyes, delayed reactions, and loss of attention. When you notice fatigue setting in, pull over for a break or power nap," he said.
"On a positive note, AAMI's research shows that more than half of Australian drivers (53%) have stopped at a Driver Reviver site or rest area when on the road during holiday periods.
"With the long weekend fast approaching, we hope that even more drivers visit these sites to break up long trips and help avoid fatigue-related accidents on our roads."
Tips to help avoid driving fatigue
- Ensure you are well-rested before you set out.
- Whenever possible, to try share responsibility for the driving during long trips.
- Schedule regular rest stops along your route - aim for at least a 10 to 15 minute break after every 90 minutes of driving.
- Allow extra travel time and pull over in a rest area to take a power nap if you start feeling tired.
- Avoid starting a long trip at the end of the day.
- Try not to drive at times when you would normally be asleep.
- Be aware of the common signs of fatigue - such as yawning, sore eyes, daydreaming, irritability, boredom and delayed reaction times.
- Make use of Driver Reviver sites and rest areas to break up your trip.
- Never drink alcohol before or during long trips, even in small quantities.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Mike Sopinski, AAMI Media Manager, 07 3135 3997 or 0421 052 598
1 AAMI's research is based on an independent internet survey of 2,818 Australians, conducted by IPSOS Research across all states and territories. Collected data is carefully weighted in line with current ABS population demographics to ensure any extrapolation of results is representative of age, gender and population on a regional, state and national basis.
