A Wake Up Call for Drowsy Drivers

A Wake Up Call for Drowsy Drivers

One in five admits to falling asleep behind the wheel – AA Insurance

Driver fatigue is increasingly common and costly on New Zealand’s roads. The 2011 AA Insurance Drivers Index, a poll of 3,550 Kiwi drivers, found that one in five said they had momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel, with 26 percent of male drivers and 15 percent of female drivers admitting to nodding off while driving.

According to AA Insurance claims data, fatigue-related accidents are increasing year-on-year. The average cost of a driver fatigue-related collision claim is now $7,989 up from $6,668 in 2010. A fatigue-related claim is on average more than double the average cost of a standard collision claim ($3,650). The biggest group of fatigue-related claims was made by males aged 18 to 29 (10.6 percent), closely followed by males aged 30 to 39 (10.4 percent). The third largest group was females aged 40 to 49 (10.1 percent).

“There is a concerning upward trend in driver fatigue claims,” said Martin Fox, Head of Operations, AA Insurance. “We estimate that driver fatigue insurance claims are costing the industry around $4.8 million a year and that figure is rising.”

Males aged 70 and over made the most expensive driver fatigue claims, averaging $11,787. For females, those aged between 18 and 29 made the costliest fatigue-related claims with an average of $9,155. AA Insurance customer records revealed that males were more likely to not admit to being tired and they were more likely than females to have an accident resulting from driver fatigue.

Driver fatigue can affect your ability to drive in the same way that drinking alcohol can, by impairing vision and increasing reaction times. Drinking alcohol can also increase the effects of fatigue, as can medication that makes you drowsy. From an insurance perspective, if you crash after taking medication that can affect your ability to drive, this can be considered reckless driving and could in some circumstances invalidate your claim.

“Customers say that before the accident they were feeling tired but thought they were still capable of driving,” continued Martin. “However, following an accident the driver feels confused and unable to recall those few seconds leading up to the accident. Many drivers also admit to feeling embarrassed, saying they should have known better.”

The Drivers Index also saw an increase of 14 percent in drivers who said they were unlikely to stop and rest if tired. Fatigue claims were also common among shift workers, who often finish late at night or early in the morning on a revolving basis, while claims were also received from drivers suffering from the flu or feeling sick.

“In most of our fatigue cases the driver was alone in the vehicle, but everyone is susceptible to fatigue, especially when driving late at night or early in the morning. You may be suffering from fatigue if you have trouble focusing on the road, are continually yawning or daydreaming while driving,” said Martin.

“Drivers should recognise the warning signs before tiredness settles in and pull over to rest and refresh. As we head into the holiday period, where a lot of people will be driving long distances to see family and friends, motorists need to be aware of the dangers of fatigue. A simple thing like having a short 15 to 20 minute power nap can prevent accidents and even save lives,” Martin added.

Tips to avoid driver fatigue

• Take regular rest breaks when driving long distances
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• Get a good night’s sleep before going on the road
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• Avoid alcohol as this can increase the effects of fatigue
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• Share the driving where possible
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• Don’t drive at times you’re usually sleeping
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• Be aware of medication that may affect your ability to drive
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• Recognise the signs of drowsiness
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• Pull over if you feel drowsy or lose concentration
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ENDS

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