Experts are urging for new driving laws to be implemented to tackle the issue of tired drivers, in a similar vein to breathalysers for drink-drivers. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) research indicates that over 430 individuals were either killed or seriously injured in accidents related to fatigue in 2023.
Nearly 1,300 collisions were caused by drowsy drivers, leading experts to demand new regulations to ensure the safety of all road users. RoSPA and the Fatigue Group have appealed to the Government to intervene, suggesting measures such as a standardised fatigue test and public awareness campaigns aimed at high-risk groups like shift workers.
In December 2023, the European Commission’s Mobility and Transport department published a Safety Performance Indicator report on fatigue with a focus on the toxic mix of fatigue and driving. It estimates that driver fatigue is a contributing factor in 15 per cent to 20 per cent of crashes.
Recent statistics from the Medical Defence Union (MDU) reveal that 90 per cent of doctors feel sleep-deprived at work, although fatigue affects the entire workforce. Caitlin Taylor, RoSPA’s road safety manager, emphasised the significant number of serious and fatal accidents each year caused by drowsy driving, leading to calls for action on this “preventable” problem, GB News reported.
She stated: “Fatigue impairs driving ability similar to drink or drug driving but gets much less attention. This must change. Fatigue slows reaction times, reduces awareness, and affects decision-making, putting everyone at risk. RoSPA calls on employers, policymakers, and the Government to act now by improving workplace fatigue management, investing in public awareness campaigns, and collecting better data.”
Data on fatigue-related crashes has been a topic of concern. RoSPA and the Fatigue Group have proposed that the Government establish a national registry of drowsy driving incidents to complement the public awareness campaign.
The Fatigue Group, founded by award-winning NHS anaesthetists following the tragic loss of colleagues who died driving home from work due to exhaustion, is at the forefront of this initiative. They are advising drivers who are hungry, angry, late or tired (HALT) to take regular rest breaks at work to reduce road risks.
For those who frequently drive long distances or work in shifts, simple solutions like drinking coffee or taking short naps can help combat fatigue. However, RoSPA warns that these measures should not be relied upon more than once per journey.
Dr Karen McDonnell RoSPA’s Occupational Safety and Health Adviser has said: “Defining fatigue is a subject of great conversation. The report describes it as “a broad concept which is often used interchangeably with concepts like tiredness, drowsiness and sleepiness”. There is no single definition, but at least the conversations are being had that unpick the topic, looking at what the magnitude of the challenge is and then what has worked within each of our sphere of influence.
“On average, 23 per cent of European drivers reported driving when being fatigued in Europe when asked the following question: “Over the last 30 days how often did you, as a car driver, drive when you were so sleepy that you had trouble keeping your eyes open?” What answer do you think you would get from asking the same question about people in your organisation who drive for work?
“It is also worth considering the age range of people in your organisation who drive for work, as the report highlights a higher incidence of fatigued driving in 18-24-year-olds – 30 per cent against 11 per cent of those aged 65 and over.”
Employers are also being urged to ensure their staff are well-rested by allowing regular breaks and incorporating effective fatigue risk management into work schedules. JP Lomas from the Fatigue Group highlighted that exhaustion is a common side-effect of working long hours, particularly in high-stress jobs, leading to increased risk-taking among motorists.
The organisation’s research revealed that 57% of trainees and 45% of consultants had experienced an accident or near miss when driving tired after a long shift.