Preventing driver fatigue was the focus of this year’s Bus Safety Week.
Fatigue is a contributing factor in 16-20% of all road crashes in Victoria. As bus and commercial passenger vehicle drivers are on the road longer than the average driver they run a greater risk of experiencing fatigue.
Bus Safety Week ran from 5 August to 11 August, emphasizing the importance of drivers getting “The Best Rest” and preventing fatigue before getting behind the wheel.
“The Best Rest” is a Safe Transport Victoria program aimed at preventing fatigue in CPV and bus drivers. It’s about drivers being well-rested and ensuring they’re performing at their best for themselves, their passengers, and other road users.
Throughout the week Safe Transport Victoria provided a range of tips and supporting materials for drivers through social media and engaged directly with drivers at a special event held at Kinetic’s Fitzroy depot.
Fatigue can lead to serious consequences, for example being awake for 17 hours or more creates the same impairment as being under the influence of alcohol.
Bus drivers should always be aware of signs of fatigue, including:
- Difficulty remembering recent kilometres, daydreaming, or missing exits/traffic signs.
- Lane drifting, tailgating, hitting rumble strips, or struggling to maintain a steady speed.
- Delayed response at traffic lights or failing to notice signal changes.
- Slower reaction time when braking or stopping at intersections.
ST Vic supports bus operators through an ongoing audit program aimed at ensuring their systems and processes for the management of driver fatigue meet industry standards.
For more information and tips on how to prevent fatigue, visit Safe Transport Victoria website at: www.safetransport.vic.gov.au/the-best-rest
