Driver fatigue could be a factor in up to ten percent of crashes, according to a recently published AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report. That’s much higher than the one to two percent previously estimated by the U.S. government.
“Drowsy driving is a bigger traffic safety issue than federal estimates show,” says Dr. David Yang, Executive Director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Drivers who don’t get enough sleep are putting everyone on the road at risk.”
eDriving’s sleep advisor Dr. Shelby Harris, a Psychologist and Board-Certified Behavioral Sleep Medicine specialist, says a lack of sleep negatively impacts attention, concentration, mood, relationships, reaction time, coordination and memory. “Add all of these areas up and it can lead to a very dangerous situation behind the wheel,” she says. “Drivers especially need to be aware of the effects of both short- and long-term sleep deprivation. A good night’s sleep is extremely important for the safety of all on the road.”
Fleet and risk managers are in a key position to observe the potential impact of fatigue at work and help employees take preventative action against drowsy driving. Here are Harris’ tips:
Make it clear what is expected of employees. Establish or evaluate policies for driver hours, rest breaks, driver training and education, reporting sleep problems, driver monitoring and investigation of fatigue-related incidents.
Include fatigue-related education and training for new recruits, as refresher training for all employees and “intervention” coaching for drivers considered high risk or as needing additional support. “Encouraging employees to manage sleep, work, health and body-clock helps to reduce their risk levels for fatigue-related collisions,” says Harris. “It’s also important that they know how to recognize signs of fatigue and what short-term measures to take if fatigue strikes while they’re driving.”
Have an “open door” for employees on fatigue-related problems such as sleep disorders or personal issues affecting sleep, either temporarily or long-term. “Too many employees, particularly those suffering from a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, put off speaking to their manager as they’re worried about losing their job,” Harris advises. “While it might be appropriate to take an employee off driving duties while a concern is investigated, it’s helpful for managers to reassure employees that speaking up is encouraged – and required – for everyone’s safety.”
Encourage trip scheduling to minimize the risk of fatigue. “This includes avoiding driving between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. unless essential,” says Harris. “Ensuring employees have the opportunity to obtain adequate rest prior to and between trips helps to reduce risk.”
Use tools to keep track of risk factors for fatigue. “This might include monitoring driver hours, trip times and rest breaks. And don’t overlook obvious signs of fatigue such as yawning,” adds Harris.
Look for signs of fatigue when investigating collisions. “The cause of a collision is not always apparent, but clues such as time of incident, severity, number of vehicles involved, location and driving behavior prior to the collision can add up to indicate the potential involvement of fatigue,” Harris concludes.
To learn more about how driver fatigue increases crash risk and collision severity, the key elements of a fatigue risk management program and habits to help employees improve sleep quality and reduce risk, download eDriving’s new white paper, co-authored by Dr. Shelby Harris:
Awake at the Wheel: Why Lack of Sleep is not a Badge of Honor but a License to Kill
