AA Congratulates Govt on Driver Fatigue Campaign

Media Release: 19 December 2007

AA Congratulates Government on Driver Fatigue Campaign

The AA congratulates the government on its new driver fatigue campaign and applauds the timing, immediately prior to the busy Christmas and New Year holiday period.

The campaign shows drivers how to recognise when they are fatigued and the possible fatal consequences of continuing to drive if you are tired. It aims to reduce the number of accidents caused by drowsy drivers.

The campaign’s hard-hitting television advertisement shows a family travelling in a car and the driver experiencing a variety of signs of fatigue before crossing the centre line and being involved in a head-on collision.

AA Motoring Affairs Manager Mike Noon says the Christmas and New Year holiday period is especially busy on the roads and tiredness and drowsy driving is far more common than people think.

“Many people travel long distances and often drivers are suffering from a lack of good sleep. The pre-Christmas workload and end of year functions can see many people burning the candle at both ends, and being more stressed than usual. Then suddenly you relax because you are on holiday and it all catches up with you. ”

“It is essential that people intending to drive get adequate rest and a good night’s sleep before setting off on a long road trip. Avoid driving at times you would normally be asleep, late at night or early morning are high risk times for fatigue crashes ”

Mr Noon says “it sounds simple but sleep is the only real solution to avoid driver fatigue. The number one priority on the road should always be safety, and one of the best pieces of advice the AA can give to anyone at this time of year is not to drive unless they have had a good sleep and are alert.”

“If a driver experiences any of the fatigue danger signs, such as frequent yawning, they should pass the driving over to another driver, if they are less fatigued, or quickly find a safe area where they can pull off the road to have a short powernap - 20 minutes is recommended.”

“Having a good sleep the night before driving, planning trips in advance, not driving when you are normally asleep, taking regular breaks, front seat passengers staying awake and alert, sharing the driving if possible on longer trips, obeying warnings on medication and eating sensibly, are all easy safety tips we call follow. They can prevent fatigue and save you from having a crash and being seriously injured and killed”, says Mike Noon.

ENDS

© Scoop Media